System and method for signal decomposition, analysis and reconstruction

ABSTRACT

A system and method for representing quasi-periodic waveforms, for example, representing a plurality of limited decompositions of the quasi-periodic waveform. Each decomposition includes a first and second amplitude value and at least one time value. In some embodiments, each of the decompositions is phase adjusted such that the arithmetic sum of the plurality of limited decompositions reconstructs the quasi-periodic waveform. Data-structure attributes are created and used to reconstruct the quasi-periodic waveform. Features of the quasi-periodic wave are tracked using pattern-recognition techniques. The fundamental rate of the signal (e.g., heartbeat) can vary widely, for example by a factor of 2-3 or more from the lowest to highest frequency. To get quarter-phase representations of a component (e.g., lowest frequency “rate” component) that varies over time (by a factor of two to three) many overlapping filters use bandpass and overlap parameters that allow tracking the component&#39;s frequency version on changing quarter-phase basis.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/217,317, filed Mar. 17, 2014 (which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,319,028on Apr. 19, 2015), titled “SIGNAL DECOMPOSITION, ANALYSIS ANDRECONSTRUCTION USING HIGH-RESOLUTION FILTER BANKS AND COMPONENTTRACKING,” which claims priority benefit, under 35 U.S.C. §119(e), ofU.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/801,292, filed Mar. 15, 2013,each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

This application is related to

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/217,234, filed on Mar. 17, 2014,titled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SIGNAL DECOMPOSITION, ANALYSIS,RECONSTRUCTION AND TRACKING” (which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,530,425 onDec. 27, 2016), as well as to

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/220,679, filed Aug. 29, 2011 (whichissued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,386,244 on Feb. 26, 2013), titled “SIGNALDECOMPOSITION, ANALYSIS AND RECONSTRUCTION,” which is a divisional of

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/760,554, filed Apr. 15, 2010 (whichissued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,010,347 on Aug. 30, 2011), titled “SIGNALDECOMPOSITION, ANALYSIS AND RECONSTRUCTION APPARATUS AND METHOD,” whichis a divisional of

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/360,135, filed Feb. 23, 2006 (whichissued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,702,502 on Apr. 20, 2010), titled “APPARATUSFOR SIGNAL DECOMPOSITION, ANALYSIS AND RECONSTRUCTION,” which claimedbenefit of

U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/656,630, filed Feb. 23, 2005,titled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SIGNAL DECOMPOSITION, ANALYSIS ANDRECONSTRUCTION,” each of which is incorporated herein by reference inits entirety. This application is also related to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/360,223, filed Feb. 23, 2006 (which issued asU.S. Pat. No. 7,706,992 on Apr. 27, 2010), titled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FORSIGNAL DECOMPOSITION, ANALYSIS AND RECONSTRUCTION,” which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of computer-implemented systems andmethods, and more specifically a software-, embedded-circuits- orfirmware-implemented system and method to decompose signals havingquasi-periodic wave properties using high-resolution filter banks, toderive which filter band(s) contains the base signal of interest, tostore such signals in a data structure, analyze such signals, andreconstruct such signals from the data structure, and/or to transmitsuch data structure over a communications channel.

COPYRIGHT & TRADEMARK NOTICES

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material,which is subject to copyright protection. The owner has no objection tothe facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or thepatent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Officepatent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrightswhatsoever.

Certain marks referenced herein may be common-law or registeredtrademarks of third parties affiliated or unaffiliated with theapplicant or the assignee. Use of these marks is for providing anenabling disclosure by way of example and shall not be construed tolimit the scope of the claimed subject matter to material associatedwith such marks.

FIGS. 10, 11.1, 11.2, 11.3, 12, 13, 14, 15.1, 15.2, 15.1 and 15.2include source-code files that make up one embodiment of the presentinvention. These copyrighted source-code files are incorporated byreference in their entirety into this application. The owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent documentor the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and TrademarkOffice patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrightswhatsoever.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The digital representation of waveforms is a technology that is centralto various sectors of industry where the detection of periodic andnon-periodic waveforms can be critical to determining whether an erraticheartbeat, electrical short circuit, or some other problem exists. Adigital representation must clearly and accurately represent the analogsource of a waveform, but at the same time be able to accomplish suchthings as, compressing the incoming data into some manageable size, andmaintain the integrity of the incoming data (i.e., making sure that thedigital representation has enough fidelity to the original signal to beuseful). Of additional import is the ability to have a digitalrepresentation that can consistently allow one to identify the presenceand location of certain wave features, and/or that lends itself tocertain types of automated analyses.

High-fidelity digital representations are problematic for a number ofreasons. First, they require relatively large amounts of space withinwhich to store the digitized data. Put another way, the higher thefidelity of the digitized data, the larger the amount of storage needed.Another problem with high-fidelity digital representations is that theycan result in large amounts of digital data that has little or no importin terms of conveying meaning. For example, a periodic wave signal thatmerely repeats the same waveform does not convey much meaning to theperson analyzing the waveform, and may in fact just take up storagespace with unremarkable data. An additional problem is the repeatedsampling, over sampling of such high-fidelity data even though it isotherwise unremarkable. Such over sampling results in wasted processingbandwidth (i.e., processor cycles, and/or power) as well as databandwidth (data storage space and/or transmission bandwidth).

U.S. Pat. No. 6,785,700 issued on Aug. 31, 2004 with the title“Implementation of wavelet functions in hardware,” and is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety. U.S. Pat. No. 6,785,700 describesan architecture component for use in performing a wavelet transform of asampled signal, and an architecture including such components. Thearchitecture component includes a multiplier, and a multiplexor tomultiplex a number n of filter coefficients onto the multiplier. Themultiplier processes n consecutive samples with consecutivecoefficients, successive multiplier outputs being stored for subsequentprocessing to generate an output of the filter after every n samples.The wavelet transform may be a discrete wavelet transform or a waveletpacket decomposition. The architecture component may be configured tomultiplex two or more coefficients onto a multiplier. Embodiments aredisclosed in which the components are derived from a parameterizeddescription in a hardware-description language.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,976,046 issued on Dec. 13, 2005 with the title“Architectures for discrete wavelet transforms,” and is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety. U.S. Pat. No. 6,976,046 describes amicroprocessor structure for performing a discrete wavelet transformoperation, the discrete wavelet transform operation includingdecomposition of an input signal including a vector of r^(x) k^(m) inputsamples, r, k and m being non-zero positive integers, over a specifiednumber of decomposition levels j, where j is an integer in the range 1to J, starting from a first decomposition level and progressing to afinal decomposition level. The microprocessor structure has a number ofprocessing stages, each of the number of processing stages correspondingto a decomposition level j of the discrete wavelet transform operationand being implemented by a number of basic processing elements, thenumber of basic processing elements implemented in each of theprocessing stages decreasing by a factor of k from a decomposition levelj to a decomposition level j+1.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,346,640 issued on Mar. 18, 2008 with the title “Imageprocessing apparatus supporting both discrete cosine transform anddiscrete wavelet transform,” and is incorporated herein by reference inits entirety. U.S. Pat. No. 7,346,640 describes an image-processingapparatus supporting both discrete wavelet transform and discrete cosinetransform with reduced hardware resources. The image-processingapparatus is composed of an input unit receiving a plurality of pixeldata, a controlling unit selecting a desired transform from amongdiscrete wavelet transform and discrete cosine transform, and providinga plurality of coefficients depending on the desired transform, and aprocessing unit which processes the pixel data using the plurality ofcoefficients to achieve the desired transform.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,480,416 issued on Jan. 20, 2009 with the title“Implementation of discrete wavelet transform using lifting steps,” andis incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. U.S. Pat. No.7,480,416 describes compact and efficient hardware architectures forimplementing lifting-based DWTs, including 1-D and 2-D versions ofrecursive and dual scan architectures. The 1-D recursive architectureexploits interdependencies among the wavelet coefficients byinterleaving, on alternate clock cycles using the same datapathhardware, the calculation of higher order coefficients along with thatof the first-stage coefficients. The resulting hardware utilizationexceeds 90% in the typical case of a 5-stage 1-D DWT operating on 1024samples. The 1-D dual scan architecture achieves 100% datapath hardwareutilization by processing two independent data streams together usingshared functional blocks. The 2-D recursive architecture is roughly 25%faster than conventional implementations, and it requires a buffer thatstores only a few rows of the data array instead of a fixed fraction(typically 25% or more) of the entire array. The 2-D dual-scanarchitecture processes the column and row transforms simultaneously, andthe memory buffer size is comparable to existing architectures. Therecursive and dual scan architectures can be readily extended to the N-Dcase.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,086,304 issued on Dec. 27, 2011, with the title“Physiologic signal processing to determine a cardiac condition,” and isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety. U.S. Pat. No.8,086,304 describes, that in a method for determining a cardiaccondition, a sensed physiologic signal for a period of time includingmultiple cardiac cycles is received. Using the received physiologicdata, a heart beat frequency to be used as a reference frequency isdetermined. A plurality of harmonics of the received physiologic signalis extracted based on the reference frequency, wherein the harmonicscorrespond to a plurality of alternans frequencies. Amplitudes of atleast some of the extracted harmonics are determined, and are used todetermine an alternans indicator value.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,498,177 issued Jul. 30, 2013 with the title “Determininga position of a geological layer relative to a wavelet response inseismic data,” and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.U.S. Pat. No. 8,498,177 describes determining a position of a geologicallayer location in a subterranean formation, by receiving seismic datarepresenting an interaction of the geological layer with propagation ofa seismic wave, identifying a source wavelet representing a portion ofthe seismic wave impinging on a boundary of the geological layer,providing a geological layer template of the geological layer includingprimary and secondary reflection interfaces associated with reflectivitybased on material properties of the geological layer, generating awavelet response template by applying the source wavelet to thegeological layer template using a mathematical convolution operation tomodel seismic wave interference caused by the primary and secondaryreflection interfaces, identifying an extremum of the seismic data, anddetermining, based on the extremum, the location of the geological layerin the subterranean formation using the wavelet response template.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,595,278 issued on Nov. 26, 2013 with the title “Methodand system for unconstrained frequency domain adaptive filtering,” andis incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. U.S. Pat. No.8,595,278 describes aspects of a method and system for unconstrainedfrequency domain adaptive filtering, including one or more circuits thatare operable to select one or more time-domain coefficients in a currentfilter partition. A value may be computed for each of the selected oneor more time-domain coefficients based on a corresponding plurality offrequency domain coefficients. The corresponding plurality offrequency-domain coefficients may be adjusted based on the computedvalues. A subsequent plurality of frequency-domain coefficients in asubsequent filter partition may be adjusted based on the computedvalues. Input signals may be processed in the current filter partitionbased on the adjusted corresponding plurality of frequency-domaincoefficients. A time-adjusted version of the input signals may beprocessed in a subsequent filter partition based on the adjustedsubsequent plurality of frequency-domain coefficients.

What is needed is a method and structure that efficiently and accuratelycaptures the underlying waveform, with little or no degradation of thevalue and meaning of that waveform data. In particular, what is neededis a method and apparatus that tracks and records the properties of aparticular frequency component of a complex waveform.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In some embodiments, the present invention provides a method andapparatus that tracks and records the properties of a particularfrequency component, such as the component corresponding to thetime-local fundamental period of a quasi-periodic waveform (e.g., therate and amplitude of the frequency component corresponding to, forexample, the local cardiac cycle length of an electrocardiogram (ECG)signal, or a seismic signal) as that frequency component varies infrequency over a wide range of frequencies. Some embodiments provide amethod and apparatus that perform digital filtering using a plurality ofbanks of filters whose frequency ranges overlap and whose centerfrequencies are closely spaced, and performing wavelet transforms onfrequency components detected in the filtered signals from the pluralityof banks of filters, and then tracking the components with the strongestsignal within one of the overlapping filter banks (such that aparticular frequency component that changes frequency over time can betracked as its frequency shifts to higher or lower frequencies), inorder to track that component as its frequency or period changes over alarge range. In some embodiments, changes in frequency of up to 2:1 or3:1 or more can be tracked. For example, a human heartbeat can oftenvary from fifty beats per minute (50 BPM, or even as low as 30 BPM orless) to two-hundred beats per minute (200 BPM or even 300 BPM or more).In some embodiments, the present invention tracks each of a plurality offrequency components of such a varying heartbeat, wherein each of thecomponents shifts in frequency as the BPM rate changes.

In some embodiments, the present invention includes a system and methodfor representing quasi-periodic waveforms. For example, in someembodiments, the method includes representing each of a plurality oflimited decompositions as a quasi-periodic waveform. Each quarter-phase(“QP”) decomposition includes a first and second amplitude value and atleast one time value. In some embodiments, each of the decompositions isphase adjusted such that the arithmetic sum of the plurality of limiteddecompositions reconstructs the quasi-periodic waveform. Data-structureattributes are created and used to reconstruct the quasi-periodicwaveform. Features of the quasi-periodic wave are tracked usingpattern-recognition techniques. The fundamental rate of the signal(e.g., heartbeat) can vary widely, for example by a factor of 2-3 ormore from the lowest to highest frequency. To get quarter-phaserepresentations of a component (e.g., lowest frequency “rate” component)that varies over time (by a factor of two to three) many bandpassfilters are arranged with closely-spaced center frequencies to providetracking of the component's frequency variation on a per-quarter-phasebasis. Some embodiments provide tracking of the component's frequencyvariation on a per-digital-sample basis.

Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention provides a method andapparatus that tracks and records a particular frequency component(e.g., the rate and amplitude of the lowest (i.e., fundamental)frequency of, for example, the cardiac cycle of an electrocardiogram(ECG) signal) as that frequency component changes frequency over a widerange of frequencies.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides a method andapparatus that tracks and records a particular frequency component of,for example, a seismic signal, and analyzes the result to help predictearthquakes. In other embodiments, the present invention provides amethod and apparatus that tracks and records a particular frequencycomponent of, for example, certain types of internet messages, andanalyzes the result to help predict human activity (e.g., commercial orsocial trends, or terrorism).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1.1 is a block diagram of a parallel filter bank system 100,according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 1.2 is a block diagram of a system 2300 of an input/analysisprocess 2301, an interpretive process 2305, a storage/transmission block2309, and a re-synthesis/output process 2310, according to someembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a subsystem 2400 used to track onecomponent over a wide range of frequencies by an adaptive selection of aselected frequency band from among a bank of overlapping frequency bandswithin the signal decomposition function 2302 and the fractional-phaserepresentation function 2303, according to some embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 3.1 is a graph of the wavelet amplitude responses versus frequencyof three wide-band wavelet bands, according to some embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 3.2 is a graph of the wavelet amplitude responses versus frequencyof three narrow-band wavelet bands, according to some embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 3.3 is a graph 2503 illustrating a curve fit to three points, eachrepresenting an amplitude as the Y value and a frequency (or frequencyindex) as the X value, according to some embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a subsystem 2600 used to generate aselection signal used to select one component over a wide range offrequencies, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a subsystem 2700 used to generate aselection signal used to select one component over a wide range offrequencies, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a graph 2800 of the wavelet amplitude responses versusfrequency of about forty-seven wide-band wavelet bands, according tosome embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged portion 2900 of graph 2800 of the waveletamplitude responses versus frequency of a large number of (in this case,about forty-seven) wide-band wavelet bands, according to someembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a table 3000 of a number of beats-per-minute heart rates, theassociated center frequency for each and the k_(r) scaling parameter foreach, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a graph 3100 of the real portion 3110 and imaginary portion3120 of a wavelet impulse response, according to some embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 10 is a MATLAB program 3200 used to perform the QP transformationand obtain QP objects, according to some embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 11.1, 11.2 and 11.3 show three portions of a MATLAB program 3300used to perform the QP transformation and obtain time-interpolated QPobjects, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a MATLAB program 3400 used to collect QP objects into astream, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a MATLAB program 3500 used to track a component of a signal,according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a MATLAB program 3600 used to smooth a stream of QPamplitudes, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 15.1 and 15.2 show two portions of a MATLAB program 3700 used totrack a component of a signal based upon a reference center band andguard band, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 16 shows examples sequences of QP labels, with an expected sequence3800 and a sequence 3801 with disturbances, according to someembodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 17.1 and 17.2 show two portions of a MATLAB program 3900 used toperform correction of QP label sequences with disturbances, according tosome embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram of a subsystem 4000 used to track onecomponent over a wide range of frequencies by an adaptive selection of aselected frequency band from among a bank of overlapping frequency bandswithin the signal decomposition function 2302 of FIG. 1.2 and thefractional-phase representation function 2303, according to someembodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Although the following detailed description contains many specifics forthe purpose of illustration, a person of ordinary skill in the art willappreciate that many variations and alterations to the following detailsare within the scope of the invention. Specific examples are used toillustrate particular embodiments; however, the invention described inthe claims is not intended to be limited to only these examples, butrather includes the full scope of the attached claims. Accordingly, thefollowing preferred embodiments of the invention are set forth withoutany loss of generality to, and without imposing limitations upon theclaimed invention. Further, in the following detailed description of thepreferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawingsthat form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustrationspecific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It isunderstood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changesmay be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.The embodiments shown in the Figures and described here may includefeatures that are not included in all specific embodiments. A particularembodiment may include only a subset of all of the features described,or a particular embodiment may include all of the features described.

Regarding the reference numbers appearing in the Figures—the samereference number is used throughout when referring to an identicalcomponent which appears in multiple Figures. Signals and connections maybe referred to by the same reference number or label, and the actualmeaning will be clear from its use in the context of the description.

For a detailed background description of some embodiments of theinvention, see the handwritten notebook pages of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/801,292, filed Mar. 15, 2013, and Appendix A andAppendix B of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/656,630, filed Feb.23, 2005, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

In some embodiments, a bandpass filter bank may be implemented using theShort-Time Fourier Transform (STFT), of which digital forms are wellestablished utilizing the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) at the website(referenced Mar. 13, 2014)en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Short-time_Fourier_transform.

In some embodiments, more control of the placement of center frequenciesfor the bands is obtained by using the “Chirp-Z Transform” (CZT) inplace of the FFT in forming the STFT. The design criterion for the STFTis the choice of window function w(n), which in turn controls thebandwidth and stopband response of the resulting bandpass filters. Thesedesign choices are well understood in the art, and the considerationstranslate directly to those set forth in this specification and in thepatents incorporated herein by reference.

In some embodiments, the impulse response of a digital bandpass may beexpressed as h(n)=w(n)*exp(−j2πf_(c)nT) where exp(x)=e^(x), j=√−1(square root of minus one), f_(c) is the center frequency in Hz, n is atime-sampling index, and T is the sampling period of the data inseconds. This is a modulated-window form, where w(n) defines a prototypelow-pass filter function, and the complex exponential modulates (shiftsthe frequency response of) the low-pass up so that it is centered not at0 Hz but at fc.

In practice, a bandpass-filtered output signal y(n) is formed through aprocess of convolution between impulse response h(n) and input signalx(n), through a convolution sum: y(n)=Σ_(m) h(m) x(n−m)=Σ_(m) x(m)h(n−m) (i.e., y(n)=sum_over_m(h(m)*x(n−m))=sum_over_m(x(m)*h(n−m))). Forh(n) of finite length, the summation is of finite length for eachcomputed output point at sample index n. Substituting the above-definedh(n) to the above convolution yields a form of the STFT. In someembodiments, the convolution process is performed using frequency-domaintechniques to increase computational efficiency, using, for example,methods such as the “overlap-add” or “overlap-save” methods.

In some embodiments, specification of w(n) for both the STFT and theabove-defined digital bandpass filter controls the bandwidth and generalresponse behavior of the filter, design considerations for which areknown extensively in the art of digital low-pass filter design, as maybe found at website en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital filter, and in thefollowing references:

-   S. K. Mitra, Digital Signal Processing: A Computer-Based Approach,    New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill, 1998.-   A. V. Oppenheim and R. W. Schafer, Discrete-Time Signal Processing,    Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Prentice-Hall, 2010. (In Oppenheim &    Shafer, Chapters 6 & 7 cover filter design in detail.)

In some embodiments, the digital bandpass may be implemented based uponwavelets as found in the following reference: The Illustrated WaveletTransform Handbook, Paul S. Addison, Institute of Physics Publishing,2002; particularly as in Chapter 2, per the Morlet Wavelet. While theMorlet Wavelet is formally defined for continuous-time, it may beexpressed in sampled-time form by substituting time variable t with nT,where n is the time-sampling index and T is the sampling intervalexpressed, e.g., in seconds. As such, the Morlet Wavelet is a specialcase of the modulated-window form of the digital bandpass filter above,where w(n) is Gaussian in shape.

As used herein, a wavelet-transform function is sometimes referred to asa wavelet or wavelet transfer function and each has the same meaning asthe other(s); two or more wavelet-transform functions are sometimesreferred to as wavelets, and each has the same meaning as the other(s);a digitized signal is sometimes referred to as signal X, and each hasthe same meaning as the other; a particular frequency component of adecomposed signal X are sometimes referred to as a component, and eachhas the same meaning as the other; bandpass wavelet-transform functionsare sometimes referred to as bandpass wavelets or as bandpasses, andeach has the same meaning as the other(s); a problem is sometimesreferred to as an issue and each has the same meaning as the other; andthe term “without loss of generality” is sometimes abbreviatedw.l.o.g.—and is intended to mean that the preceding discussion is justone example—thus in other embodiments of the invention, other suitableparameters are used.

In some embodiments, the first data structure further includes linkedattributes, including: a descriptor that includes a difference ofabscissa values between the abscissa value included in the particulardata structure and the abscissa value included in a first linked datastructure relative to this particular data structure, a descriptor thatincludes a difference of abscissa values between the abscissa valueincluded in the particular data structure and the abscissa valueincluded in a second linked data structure relative to this particulardata structure, a descriptor that includes an indication of deviationfrom an expected sequence of phase labels, and a descriptor thatincludes a moving average of abscissa values for a group of datastructures surrounding the particular data structure.

FIG. 1.1 is a block diagram of a parallel filter bank 100, in generalimplemented as more fully described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,702,502 thatissued on Apr. 20, 2010 with the title “APPARATUS FOR SIGNALDECOMPOSITION, ANALYSIS AND RECONSTRUCTION”, which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety. U.S. Pat. No. 7,702,502 describes amethod of signal decomposition using filter bank 100 having a parallelarrangement of N filter sections that use the Parallel-Form Kovtun-RicciWavelet Transform. In some embodiments, parallel filter bank 100 isimplemented in software, firmware, hardware, and/or combinationsthereof. An original signal x 101 is applied to the input of the bank,and a set of N component signals y₁ . . . y_(N) 104 are provided at theoutputs of the N filter sections (also called “component bands”, “bandfilters” or simply, “bands”) of filter bank 100. In some embodiments,the filter sections each include a cascade of a component filter H and adelay element D, with the component filters having transfer functionsdenoted by H₁ . . . H_(N) 102, and the delay elements having transferfunctions denoted by D₁ . . . D_(N) 103. The p^(th) filter section 105of filter bank 100, where p is an integer between 1 and N, inclusive, isthus comprised of component filter H_(p) 106 (one example of which isdiscussed further in the below-described FIG. 2) and delay element D_(p)107. Original input signal x 101 is provided at the inputs of all filtersections of filter bank 100, each of which produces corresponding streamof values of the component signal y_(p) 108, where p is an integerbetween 1 and N, inclusive.

In some embodiments, a fractional-phase determination function generatesa fractional-phase representation of each component signal y_(p) 108.For example, in some embodiments, the fraction is ¼ and the functionsare quarter-phase parameter-determination functions QP₁-QP_(N) 110 thatdetermine four time values (one time value for each “quarter” phase(first zero-crossing to amplitude maximum, amplitude maximum to secondzero-crossing, second zero-crossing to amplitude minimum, and amplitudeminimum to final zero crossing of a single cycle)) and two amplitudevalues (amplitude maximum and amplitude minimum) to generate eachquarter-phase representation objects QP₁-QP_(N) 109; however, otherembodiments can use other fractions. In the embodiment shown, aplurality of streams of quarter-phase representation objects QP₁-QP_(N)109 is output, wherein each stream is a sequential series of successivequarter-phase representation objects QP_(P), each based upon thecorresponding component signal y_(p) 108. Each component signal y_(p)108 and each set of quarter-phase-representation objects QP_(P) areassociated (in some embodiments, implicitly) with the center frequencyof their corresponding band filter H_(p)-D_(p). In some embodiments, thecenter frequency of each filter band is fixed, so it can be difficult toaccurately track a signal (such as a heart beat) that has a wide rangeof possible frequencies, and whose rate can change rapidly.

In some embodiments, the present invention as represented by FIG. 1.1and FIG. 1.2 improves upon the invention of U.S. Pat. No. 7,702,502 byreplacing at least one band filter-and-QP process (e.g., the p^(th)filter-and-QP section 120) with a further parallel bank of filter-and-QPprocesses 2400 (see FIG. 2) whose associated band filters have a closerfrequency spacing than the frequency spacing used by the band filters inparallel filter bank 100. In some embodiments, the p^(th) filter-and-QPsection 120 that is replaced or supplemented by bank 2400 is thatsection for the band designed for the lowest (or fundamental) frequencycomponent of input signal x 101.

Thus, in contrast to the system described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,702,502,which used one single-band filter for each frequency component and/orfewer than two band center frequencies per octave, the present inventionreplaces at least one component's band filter and QP processing 120 ofFIG. 1.1 (and the corresponding functions 2302 and 2303 described below)with a bank of band filters and associated QP processes (e.g., bank 2400of FIG. 2 described below) and a selector that selects, from among theplurality of QP outputs, that QP output having the strongest signal. Insome embodiments, the sequential series of successive quarter-phaserepresentation objects QP_(P) from that bank includes a frequencyparameter (e.g., an index of the filter band from which the signal wasobtained, or the actual frequency or rate, or some other valuecorresponding to at least one of these parameters) as well as the fourtime values and two amplitude values in the QP objects described in U.S.Pat. No. 7,702,502. In some embodiments, the QP objects of the presentinvention also include other parameters as described in U.S. Pat. No.7,702,502.

FIG. 1.2 is a block diagram of a system 2300. As described more fully inU.S. Pat. No. 7,702,502 (which is incorporated herein by reference inits entirety), in some embodiments, system 2300 includes aninput/analysis process 2301, an interpretive process 2305, astorage/transmission block 2309, and a re-synthesis/output process 2310.In some embodiments, the Input/Analysis Process block 2301 takes theoriginal signal and produces a corresponding stream of objects (in someembodiments, this output includes a plurality of streams of QP objectsincluding a stream of successive quarter-phase representation objectsQPp with frequency parameter(s) from bank 2400 of FIG. 2). In someembodiments, the original signal is applied to the Signal Decompositionblock 2302, the output of which is the set of corresponding componentsignals. These signals are then processed in the Fractional PhaseRepresentation block 2303 to identify the object boundaries and measurebasic attributes, and the corresponding object-related information ispassed to the Object Construction and Linking block 2304 to constructthe object streams, filling out whatever additional object-related, datastructure related information (i.e., attributes, links, etc.) is neededin a particular application. In cases of multiple original signals, theInput/Analysis Process block would be repeated and/or duplicated foreach original signal. The resulting object streams from each Process maythen be merged into a single composite stream of objects.

The Interpretive Process block 2305 takes the object stream and producesan interpretation of the original signal(s). In some embodiments, theState Construction block 2306 takes the object stream and constructsstates from them. The resulting series of states, along with theunderlying objects by which they are defined, then form the input to theOrganized Mapping block 2307, where the information is mapped in statespace and/or a vector space along one or more object attributes. Asstated in the context of this invention, the information may be mappeddirectly in some ad-hoc manner, for example using a sequence detector onthe states and/or some nonlinear, neural and/or fuzzy map formed on theobject attributes. In some embodiments, the information may also be usedfor training a model. Once trained, the information may be applied tothe model to produce a mapped output. In some embodiments, the mappedinformation is then passed to a Pattern Recognition, Discriminationand/or Display block 2308 to transform the mapped information into ahuman-interpretable form, such as for example an automatedidentification and/or diagnosis of a certain condition, and/orvisualization of relevant mapped information. Automated identificationcould involve simple thresholding on the mapped information, or coulduse more sophisticated detection and discrimination techniques such asNovelty Detection and Support Vector Machines. (See The Nature ofStatistical Learning Theory 2^(nd) Edition, by V. Vapnik, Springer 1995;Support-Vector Learning, by C. Cortes and V. Vapnik, 20 Machine Learning1995 (which are both incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety)).

The Storage/Transmission block 2309 takes the object stream and/or theoriginal signal samples and/or samples of the component signals (or apredetermined select subset of the component signals) and stores some orall of them in memory and/or transmits some or all of them over acommunications link. The Re-synthesis/Output Process block 2310 takesthe object stream from a communications link and/or storage andreconstructs an estimate of the original signal(s). The object streamcorresponding to a desired original signal is recovered from storageand/or received from a communications link via the Retrieval/Receptionblock 2311. Estimates of the component signals for the desired originalsignal are then produced by the Component Reconstruction block 2312, andthe component signal estimates are then combined in the SignalReconstruction block 2313 to produce an estimate of the desired originalsignal. If desired, the individual component signals may be output fromthe Re-synthesis/Output Process block 2310 as well. Multiple originalsignals may be reconstructed using multiple instances of this Process,once for each desired original signal. The reconstructed signal(s) maythen be displayed, for example, on a plot trace (or series of plottraces) for human interpretation, if desired, along with the output ofthe Interpretive Process block 2305.

Adaptive (Controlled) QP Parameters

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a method and apparatus for processing QPparameters to obtain adaptive parameters useful for tracking varyingfrequency components, wherein

x=digitized input signal 2401,

B₁, B₂, . . . B_(N)=Wavelet filters bank 2412,

QP₁, QP₂, . . . QP_(N)=a bank of quarter-phase generators 2410corresponding to each frequency band 2406,

QP₁, QP₂, . . . QP_(N)=a set of streams of quarter-phase parameters 2409corresponding to each frequency band.

In some embodiments, QP selector 2421 is controlled by a selection(control) signal 2422 and selects, at given point in time, one QP streamof the set of QP streams: QP₁, QP₂ . . . QP_(N).

In some embodiments, selection signal 2422 may indicate the band havingthe maximum power or amplitude from among the bands operating on signalx 2401, where a band having maximum amplitude means one of the bandshaving an amplitude no lower than the other bands in the associatedbank. (For purposes of generating the selection or indication signal,the terms “maximum-power” and “maximum-amplitude” are to be usedinterchangeably.) In some embodiments, selection signal 2422 mayindicate the band having the maximum power or amplitude from among thebands operating on another signal, or in another frequency range. Insome embodiments, by associating the maximum-amplitude band indicationwith the band's center frequency, an estimate of the component frequencyis formed, and used as a frequency estimate signal.

In some embodiments, selection signal 2422 indicates a plurality of thebands from which an interpolation can be made from amplitudes of bandssurrounding the band having the maximum amplitude. In some embodiments(where two bands could possibly have the same maximum amplitude), thepresent invention selects one of the bands that has an amplitude nolower than the other bands in the bank (i.e., one of the banks havingthe maximum amplitude). In some embodiments, the center frequencies ofthe bands form the x-values of the points to be interpolated, and theassociated band amplitudes form the y-values of the points to beinterpolated, for example, through a curve fit or a spline. In someembodiments, the interpolation is in the form of a polynomial fit, witha fit of polynomial order N requiring at least N+1 point values (andthus at least N+1 bands including the maximum-amplitude band). In someembodiments, a second-order polynomial (parabolic) fit is performed, asthe convex parabola has a single well-defined peak and a shapeconsistent with an amplitude peak. The parabolic fit would thus requireat least three point values. Performing the parabolic fit and solvingfor the peak of the (convex) parabola results in an amplitude value andfrequency value that estimate respectively the amplitude and frequencyof the frequency component, with higher resolution than estimates formedfrom simple selection of the maximum-amplitude band.

See the illustrative discussion below of curve fitting for FIG. 3.3.

In some embodiments the x-values of the fit are formed from indicescorresponding to the ordered position of the respective bands.Performing the parabolic fit and solving for the peak then results in aninterpolated index. In some embodiments the interpolated index can bemapped to the band frequencies through a mapping function orinterpolated table lookup to determine an associated frequency. In someembodiments the interpolated index may be used along with the QP valuesof the bands whose indices straddle the interpolated index, to form aninterpolated QP value with a higher-resolution than either of the directQP values from the bands.

In some embodiments, the band frequencies of the filters are spacedlogarithmically, and the instantaneous frequency is determined byinterpolating upon the logarithms of the band frequencies.

The present invention tracks the frequency of a component of a signalx(n), and is well-suited for signals with widely varying fundamentalperiodicities. Consider the case where the fundamental periodicities inquasi-periodic signal X (which is digitized to form the digitized inputsignal x 2401 of FIG. 2) varies over a substantially wide range, e.g.,where the ratio of the highest frequency to the lowest of theperiodicity is a factor of two or more. For signal x 2401 that is notlocally sinusoidal, the local TFA (time-frequency analysis) will showenergy at the fundamental frequency f₀(t) and substantially integerharmonics n·f₀(t), where n is an integer, or in general x=Σ_(n)a_(n)(t)·cos(φ_(n)(t), where a_(n)(t) is the amplitude function of timefor the nth frequency component, and φ_(n)(t) is the corresponding phasefunction.

An example phase function would be φ_(n)(t)=∫q_(n)f(t)dt+φ_(n)(t), wherethe q_(n) denote frequency factors from one component to the next.Typically q_(n) is a monotonically increasing series, and the φ_(n)(t)are representative of the locally static phase relationship from onecomponent to the next. The spacing of the q_(n) for adjacent values of ndenotes the (local) frequency spacing between components.

Note that for determining the fundamental period of a component, in someembodiments, it is preferable for the component output from the waveletband to be locally sinusoidal, so that the QP sequence generation is“clean” (i.e., does not exhibit reversals in the sequence ABCD) and doesnot show significant interference from neighboring components of X.

In some embodiments having only one wavelet band per component,difficulty may arise in specifying/designing the frequency response ofthe band. The wavelets/bands should be sufficiently narrow-band toemphasize the (rate) component of interest and suppress othercomponents. The wavelet bandwidth can be an issue if the componentspacing is narrower than the expected rate range. In this case, for thewavelets to cover the frequency range of interest covered by thecomponent, at some frequencies of the component (e.g., lower frequenciesof the range), the next-higher component will be still passed by thewavelet transfer function (frequency response). (Likewise, at higherfrequencies of the component range, the next-lower component could bepassed by the wavelet.) Interfering neighboring components could thenappear at the wavelet output, resulting in potentially substantialdeviation from a locally sinusoidal wave shape at the wavelet output.

Of course, narrowing the wavelet bandwidth results in limited coverageof frequency range for the component, as the wavelet responsesignificantly attenuates the component at the edges of the wavelet band,requiring that the component not vary widely in frequency. This createsdifficulty in extracting and/or tracking certain desired frequencycomponents of the initial digitized signal x if the desired componenthas a wide range of possible frequencies (or rates, expressed forexample in cycles per second), particularly if the signal has multiplecomponents spaced at frequency factors narrower than the ratio of thehighest to lowest frequency in the frequency range of the desiredcomponent. The present invention provides a solution to this problem.

In some embodiments, the solution that allows resolving of the desiredcomponent from a component set over a substantially wide range offundamental component frequencies consists of replacing a single-bandprocess H_(n) in a bank (e.g., Hp 106 in bank 100 of FIG. 1.1) with abank 2412 (See FIG. 2) of wavelets.

FIG. 3.1 is a graph 2501 of the frequency response (the amplituderesponse) of a wavelet band 2512 with two neighboring bands 2511 (thenext-lower-frequency component band, having a cross-over point 2515 withband 2512) and 2513 (the next-higher-frequency-component band, having across-over point 2516 with band 2512).

In the present invention, each frequency-component band (e.g., 2511,2512 and 2513) processes an initial digitized signal x through a digitalbandpass filter configured to have a center frequency and a bandwidth,each of which is specified by a respective parameter. In someembodiments, each digital bandpass filter is implemented as a softwareroutine and/or hardware circuit that can be executed in parallel orserially with other ones of the digital bandpass filters. In someembodiments, the digital bandpass filters are implemented usingwavelets. In some embodiments, the outputs of the digital bandpassfilters are each sequential streams of digital values denoted as y_(n).In some embodiments, each stream y_(n) of digital values is processed bya respective fractional-phase reduction unit (again, implemented assoftware routines and/or hardware circuits) that reduces the amount ofdata while retaining certain essential characteristics, and outputs astream of digital values denoted as FP_(n). In some embodiments, thefractional-phase reduction unit is implemented as a quarter-phasereduction unit, so each stream y_(n) of digital values is processed by arespective quarter-phase unit (again, these are implemented as softwareroutines and/or hardware circuits) that reduces the amount of data whileretaining certain essential characteristics, and outputs a stream ofdigital values denoted as QP_(n).

In some embodiments, this bank 2400 of FIG. 2 is designed with bandpasswavelets with center frequencies disposed such that their responsesoverlap substantially. In this case, the bands are not necessarilydesigned to decompose the signal X into components (although they couldbe used for that in other embodiments), but to identify where infrequency the desired component(s) have significant (dominant) energy(power). The bank of overlapping bandpasses operating on signal x willbe excited by varying degrees in response to a time-local frequencycomponent. The amplitudes of the wavelet outputs y_(n) may thus beanalyzed at each (or certain) points in time to determine thecharacteristics of x as a function of frequency (or with respect tofrequency). In some embodiments, the amplitude of the wavelet output maybe analyzed at each point in time and the largest (maximum) found acrossbands. In some embodiments, this then forms the basis for a controlselection signal 2422 for selecting the desired component signal fromamong the wavelet outputs 2404 or from among set of streams ofquarter-phase parameters 2409 as described in the description of FIG. 2.

In some embodiments, the bandpass ranges (passbands) of the bands ofeach of a plurality of particular bands in wavelet filter bank 2412,relative to that of its closest-neighboring band on either the higher-or lower-frequency side, are such that the cross-over point between oneband and the next is only about −0.1 dB from the maximum response at thecenter frequencies of either of the two bands. In some embodiments, eachband's filter's response at the cross-over point with the neighboring(next) band is no further than about −0.2 dB from the maximum responseat the band's center frequency. In some embodiments, each band'sfilter's response at the cross-over point with the neighboring band isno further than about −0.5 dB from the maximum response at the band'scenter frequency. In some embodiments, each band's filter's response atthe cross-over point with the neighboring band is no further than about−0.75 dB from the maximum response at the band's center frequency. Insome embodiments, each band's filter's response at the cross-over pointwith the neighboring band is no further than about −1 dB from themaximum response at the band's center frequency. In some embodiments,each band's filter's response at the cross-over point with theneighboring band is at least about −1 dB from the maximum response atthe band's center frequency.

FIG. 3.2 is a graph 2502 the frequency response (the amplitude response)of a wavelet band 2522 with two neighboring bands 2521 (thenext-lower-frequency component band) and 2523 (thenext-higher-frequency-component band). In some embodiments, the filterfor each respective band (2521, 2522, 2523) has the same centerfrequency but a narrower bandwidth than the corresponding wider-bandfilters used to obtain each respective band (2511, 2512, 2513) in graph2501 of FIG. 3.1. In some embodiments, the filter for each respectiveband (2521, 2522, 2523) has center frequencies spaced more narrowly thanthe spacing of the center frequencies of the wider-band filters used toobtain certain bands (2511, 2512, 2513) in graph 2501 of FIG. 3.1. Insome embodiments, the bandpass ranges in of the bands of each of aplurality of particular bands used for deriving the selection signal2422 to its closest-neighboring band on either the higher- orlower-frequency side are such that the cross-over point between one bandand the next is no further than about −1 dB from the maximum response atthe center frequencies of the two bands. In some embodiments, eachband's filter's response at the cross-over point with the next band isno further than about −0.2 dB from the maximum response at the band'scenter frequency. In some embodiments, each band's filter's response atthe cross-over point with the next band no further than about −0.5 dBfrom the maximum response at the band's center frequency. In someembodiments, each band's filter's response at the cross-over point withthe next band is no further than about −0.75 dB from the maximumresponse at the band's center frequency. In some embodiments, eachband's filter's response at the cross-over point with the next band isat least about −1 dB from the maximum response at the band's centerfrequency.

FIG. 3.3 is a graph 2503 illustrating a curve fit to three points, eachrepresenting an amplitude as the Y value and a frequency (or frequencyindex) as the X value, according to some embodiments of the invention.In some embodiments, the three (X,Y) points 2531, 2532, and 2533represent the outputs of three bands of digital bandpass filters at sometime point (or time point within a time period such as a given quarterphase). In this example, point 2532 is the maximum amplitude of a bankof bands (for example the band having the frequency response 2522 ofFIG. 3.2 or the band having the frequency response 2512 of FIG. 3.1.Reference 2521.1 is the center frequency (or the index of the band) of alower-frequency band in the neighborhood of the band of point 2532 (insome embodiments, the next-lower frequency band), reference 2522.1 isthe center frequency (or the index of the band) of the band that outputthe maximum amplitude in the bank-associated with point 2532, and 2523.1is the center frequency (or the index of the band) of a higher-frequencyband in the neighborhood of the band of point 2532 (in some embodiments,the next-higher frequency band). In some embodiments, a curve fitoperation (as described above) results in curve 2534 having a maximumamplitude 2535 at an interpolated peak frequency (or frequency index)2536. In some embodiments, amplitude 2535 and frequency (or frequencyindex) 2536 represent a higher accuracy and/or higher precision estimateof both the amplitude and frequency of the tracked component than wouldresult from selecting the amplitude and center frequency of point 2532,which is the maximum-amplitude band of the bank that is used fortracking the tracked component.

In some embodiments, the interpolated frequency result not only provideshigher resolution than using the center frequency or integer index ofthe digital bandpass filter having the maximum response, but theinterpolated frequency result also allows the present invention to usedifferent center frequencies for the digital bandpass filters used toderive the selection signal 2422 as compared to the center frequenciesfor the digital bandpass filters used to derive the data 2409 beingselected by selector 2421.

Thus, in some other embodiments of the present invention that do not useinterpolation, the integer index (e.g., in some embodiments, the value rof FIG. 8) of the band having the maximum response (or the correspondingcenter frequency f_(A) of FIG. 8—for example. index r=2 corresponds to acenter frequency f_(A)=0.4887 Hz in FIG. 8) is used to select the bandprocess 2420 from which to obtain the tracked frequency and amplitude ofthe tracked component.

In contrast, in some embodiments of the present invention usinginterpolated amplitude and frequency, the non-integer index (e.g., insome embodiments, the value of reference number 2536 of FIG. 3.3)derived from the band having the maximum response and a neighboring bandon each side of that band (or the corresponding center frequencies f_(A)of FIG. 8—for example. indexes r=1, 2, and 3 correspond to centerfrequencies f_(A)=0.4691, 0.4887 and 0.5044 Hz in FIG. 8) is used toselect the bands (i.e., band 2420 and one or two neighboring bands ofFIG. 2) from which to interpolate the tracked frequency and/or amplitudeand/or other QP parameters (for example, a QP time point forcorresponding QP labels) of the tracked component. Thus theseembodiments can use different center frequencies for the digitalbandpass filters used to derive the selection signal 2422 as compared tothe digital bandpass filters used to derive the QP data 2409 beingselected. For example, if center frequencies 2521.1, 2522.1 and 2523.1of FIG. 3.3 (and/or FIG. 3.2) happened to be 0.45 Hz, 0.49 Hz and 0.52Hz, and the resulting interpolated frequency 2536 result was 0.51375 Hz(for example), then that resulting interpolated frequency of 0.51375 Hzand/or the curve fit used to obtain it would be used to interpolate theamplitude for the tracked component from, say two or three bandpassfilters having different center frequencies (for example if centerfrequencies 2511.1, 2512.1 and 2513.1 of FIG. 3.1 had center frequenciesf_(A)=0.4887, 0.5044 Hz and 0.5271 (corresponding to indexes 2, 3, and 4of FIG. 8)) using the interpolated frequency of 0.51375 Hz and/or thecurve fit parameters. In some embodiments, quarter phases of the trackedcomponent are obtained by interpolating between quarter-phase streams oftwo neighboring QP units from QP bank 2410 (see FIG. 2).

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a subsystem 2600 used to generate aselection signal used to select one component over a wide range offrequencies, according to some embodiments of the present invention. Insome embodiments, subsystem 2600 includes a plurality of bandpasswavelet bands 2612, each operating on signal x and producing one or moreband outputs each being a sequence of filtered values y_(n) (bandsignals) that are each analyzed by amplitude determination and selector2621. In some embodiments, amplitude determination and selector 2621determines the amplitude of each of the band signals y_(n) and selectsone of the band signals that is from the band having the maximumamplitude value as determined by amplitude determination and selector2621 without a selection signal; in other embodiments, amplitudedetermination and selector 2621 selects one of the band signals y_(n)that is from the band having some selected value as determined byamplitude determination and selector 2621 based on selection signal2622. In some embodiments, amplitude determination and selector 2621selects a plurality of the band signals y_(n) that are from the bandshaving near to the maximum value as determined by amplitudedetermination and selector 2621 without a selection signal; in otherembodiments, amplitude determination and selector 2621 selects aplurality of the band signals y_(n) that are from those certain selectedbands based on selection signal 2622. In some embodiments, the amplitudeof each of the band signals y_(n) is determined and then smoothed (e.g.,using low-pass filters, moving averages, or the like) before it entersunit 2621.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a subsystem 2700 used to generate aselection signal used to select one component over a wide range offrequencies, according to some embodiments of the present invention. Insome embodiments, subsystem 2700 includes a plurality of quarter-phaseamplitude-determination units 2712, each generating one or more streamsof QP values each being a sequence of QP_(n) objects including timevalues as well as quarter-phase amplitude values a_(n) that are eachanalyzed by amplitude determination and selector 2721. In someembodiments, amplitude determination and selector 2721 selects one ofthe sequence of amplitude values a_(n) that is from the band having themaximum value as determined by amplitude determination and selector 2721without a selection signal; in other embodiments, amplitudedetermination and selector 2721 selects one of the sequences ofamplitude values a_(n) that is from the band having some selected valueas determined by amplitude determination and selector 2721 based onselection signal 2722. In some embodiments, amplitude determination andselector 2721 selects a plurality of the filtered sequence of amplitudevalues a_(n) that are from the bands having near to the maximum value asdetermined by amplitude determination and selector 2721 without aselection signal; in other embodiments, amplitude determination andselector 2721 selects a plurality of the plurality of sequences ofamplitude values a_(n) that are from those certain selected bands basedon selection signal 2722. In some embodiments, each of the sequences ofamplitude values a_(n) is smoothed before it enters unit 2721 (e.g.,using low-pass filters, moving averages, or the like).

FIG. 6 is a graph 2800 of the wavelet amplitude responses versusfrequency of a plurality of wide-band wavelet bands, according to someembodiments of the present invention. In some embodiments, the mainresponses 2810 include a plurality of bands having mainlobes 2811-2819,and each band has a plurality of sidelobes. In some embodiments, thefirst plurality of sidelobes 2820 have peaks about −32 dB from themainlobe response peaks, and sidelobes 2821-2829 each correspond to arespective one of the mainlobes 2811-2819; the second plurality ofsidelobes 2830 have peaks each about −54 dB from the main responsepeaks, and sidelobes 2831-2839 each correspond to a respective one ofthe mainlobes 2811-2819; the third plurality of sidelobes 2840 havepeaks each about −64 dB from the main response peaks, and sidelobes2841-2849 each correspond to a respective one of the mainlobes2811-2819; the fourth plurality of sidelobes 2850 have peaks each about−74 dB from the main response peaks, and sidelobes 2851-2859 eachcorrespond to a respective one of the mainlobes 2811-2819.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged portion 2900 of graph 2800 of the bandpass waveletamplitude responses versus frequency of a large number of wide-bandbandpass wavelet bands, according to some embodiments of the presentinvention. In some such embodiments, one bandpass wavelet band 2512(solid emphasis line) has two neighboring bands: thenext-lower-frequency component band 2511 (long-dashed emphasis line),having a cross-over point 2515 with band 2512, and thenext-higher-frequency-component band 2513 (short-dashed emphasis line),having a cross-over point 2516 with band 2512. In some such embodiments,the cross-over points are less than −0.1 dB from the maximum responsemagnitude.

Graph 2800 shows magnitude frequency response as example of wavelet bankfor adaptive system of FIG. 2 or for control-signal generation of FIG. 4and FIG. 5 described above. Some embodiments of the design usearchitecture described in the descriptions of FIGS. 3.1, 3.2, 4, 5, 6,7, 10 and 11.1-11.3. This an analytic bank, with these responsescorresponding to the real part (the response corresponding to theimaginary part are implied by extension). FIG. 7 is a zoomed-in versionof the plot of FIG. 6. In both plots, the X-axis is frequency (Hz) andY-axis is magnitude (dB). With reference to the Kovtun-Ricci wavelets,design parameters for this example are N_(k)=4, N_(m)=4 without loss ofgenerality (sometimes abbreviated as w.l.o.g., this is intended to meanthat in other embodiments of the invention, other suitable parametersare used).

Responses are normalized to have substantially 0 dB (unity gain) at theresponse peak, being the analytic frequency of the wavelet (“actualcenter frequency” 2512.1 per FIG. 3.1). This bank has the centerfrequencies spaced relatively closely—in this example, without loss ofgenerality, approximately a nominal spacing of 18 bands per octave.

In some embodiments, the spacing, in combination with the bandwidths ofthe bandpasses, is chosen such that the responses cross at roughly −0.01dB, generally a small number, so that the analysis representssubstantially high resolution in frequency (along the frequency axis),sufficient to resolve frequency of the underlying component to satisfythe accuracy demanded by the application. For this example, the datasample rate F_(s)=200 Hz without loss of generality.

The table 3000 of FIG. 8 shows values for the wavelets for this examplebank. As the bank is intended, for this example, to resolve a heartrate, the analytic frequencies of the wavelets are chosen to cover arange corresponding to the range of heart rates expected underphysiological conditions (normal rest to exercise), without loss ofgenerality.

The column labeled “R” shows the analytic frequencies in units of beatsper minute (BPM), corresponding to heart rate. The column labeled f_(A)shows the same analytic frequencies in units of Hz (Hertz, or cycles persecond). The column k_(r) shows the values of Kovtun-Ricci waveletscaled-difference scaling parameter k_(r) for each wavelet bandpass ofthis example bank. The values are chosen to be even to ensure integerdelays in the system. Values of Kovtun-Ricci wavelet scaled-differencescaling parameter w for each band are set to k_(r)/2 in this examplebank. This provides example bank as per bank 2400 of FIG. 2 or bank 2600of FIG. 4 or bank 2700 of FIG. 5.

For input signal X, the bank performs an analysis whereby components inX will excite the bands to varying degrees. Periodicities in X closestto the response peaks of certain bands will excite them the most, sothey are expected to have the largest local amplitude.

FIG. 9 is a plot 3100 of an example impulse response L_(K) of ananalytic wavelet band as per the description in U.S. Pat. No. 7,702,502,which issued on Apr. 20, 2010 titled “APPARATUS FOR SIGNALDECOMPOSITION, ANALYSIS AND RECONSTRUCTION,” and which is incorporatedherein by reference. Trace 3110 is the real part of the impulseresponse; the imaginary part is trace 3120. The Y-axis is theimpulse-response coefficient; the X-axis is the time index in samples.This response corresponds to the lowest-frequency band (r=1, k_(r)=200)in the list 3000 of FIG. 8 for the example bank, without loss ofgenerality.

Other bands would be scaled versions of this response according towavelet principles well-understood in the art and established also inAppendix A of the inventor's U.S. Provisional Patent Application60/656,630, filed Feb. 23, 2005, titled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SIGNALDECOMPOSITION, ANALYSIS AND RECONSTRUCTION,” and U.S. Pat. No.7,702,502, which claimed benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application60/656,630, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

Flow of Processing Example

Referring to FIG. 2, Input signal x 2401 is operated on in parallel bythe wavelets 2406 in the bank 2412. The respective analytic outputs 2404are then used by respective QP operators 2410 to form a set offractional-phase representations 2409 of each (in some embodiments, aquarter-phase representation is formed, without loss of generality).

FIG. 10 is a listing of MATLAB code 3200 to implement QP transformationfrom analytic wavelet output y_(n) (passed in is a complex-valued inputargument x here). Output is sequence of QP object stream information:Lqp is a stream of QP labels (encoding A, B, C, and D here as 1, 2, 3,and 4, respectively) so that each element of vector Lqp is a singlelabel for a single sequential QP object. Similarly, output iqp is thecorresponding stream of QP time indexes of each of the corresponding QPobjects, where a value of iqp corresponds to a sample time index intoinput vector x. Output aqp is the corresponding stream of QP objectamplitudes, such that each element of vector aqp corresponds to theinstantaneous amplitude of analytic signal X (here, analytic inputsignal vector x) at corresponding QP point iqp.

FIG. 11 (which includes FIG. 11.1, FIG. 11.2, and FIG. 11.3 takentogether) is a listing of MATLAB code 3300 to implement QPtransformation similarly to that of function 3200 shown in FIG. 10except that the values of iqp and aqp are interpolated at the QP pointsof analytic signal x. Specifically, at the appropriate zero-crossings,the x-intercept is solved for, providing a more accurate measure of iqp.In some embodiments, a linear interpolation is performed based on thevalues straddling the zero crossing to solve for the time of the zerocrossing. Using a linear model is accurate in practice because near X=0,sin(X)=X is a good approximation.

Correspondingly, the value of aqp is then linearly interpolated at themore-accurate value of iqp. Higher-order interpolations or fits cancertainly be considered for these interpolation operations as part ofthis invention as they are well understood in the art. (For bothfunctions 3200 and 3300 of FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, output argument Msem isnot used in this embodiment.)

In some embodiments, if one considers the transform of signal x 2401 (asdescribed above for FIG. 2, FIG. 5 and FIG. 6) as the parallel waveletoperation resulting in the series of signals y_(n), n=1 . . . N, we canconstruct matrix Y as the appending of signals y_(n), each a beingcolumn, appended column-wise. We assume here, without loss ofgenerality, that the intrinsic delays of the wavelets in the banks arecompensated so that the outputs are time-aligned (as described on p. 78of Appendix A in U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/656,630, filedFeb. 23, 2005, titled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SIGNAL DECOMPOSITION,ANALYSIS AND RECONSTRUCTION,” which is incorporated herein by referencein its entirety). We can then operate on matrix Y to produce the QPtransformation. The code 3400 in FIG. 12 does this by repetitively(iteratively) calling either function getCmpQp( ) or functiongetCmpQpItp( ) on each column of Y, as chosen through logical variableITP. (Matrix Y is passed in here as matrix input argument X.)

Output sObj is a structure array (an array of structs). Each element ofsObj is itself a structure containing fields Lqp, iqp, and aqp, the QPobject stream data as output by the functions shown in FIG. 10 or FIG.11. Array sObj is indexed by the band, so that the nth element sObj(n)contains the QP information corresponding to signal y_(n), of the set ofsignals Y_(n), n=1 . . . M.

The code 3500 (MATLAB function trkMxQpA) in FIG. 13 performs theprocessing to resolve the desired component by maximum instantaneousamplitude. It works by advancing time until a wavelet output encountersa QP transition, then updates the “state” accordingly. The “state” hereis considered as a vertical linking as described/contemplated in Book 1pages 3-8 in Appendix A of the inventor's U.S. Provisional PatentApplication 60/656,630, and FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C, and 7D and theirdescription in U.S. Pat. No. 7,702,502, which claimed benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application 60/656,630, both of which areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety. So, for sake of thisexample embodiment, vertical linking occurs across band index ibindexing sObj(ib). At each state update, the maximum-amplitude band isfound and the corresponding QP information is stored in vector abmx,imbx, Lbmx and ixqp. These vectors are then stored as fields at the endinto output structure sQpCmp.

In FIG. 13:

abmx=amplitude of highest-amplitude wavelet at state nqp;

ibmx=band index corresponding to abmx;

Lbmx=QP label corresponding to abmx;

ixqp=time index of original signal at corresponding state updates; and

sQpCmp.aqp, sQpCmp.Lqp, and sQpCmp.iqp=QP parameters of desiredcomponents (dominant components) over frequency band covered by waveletbank.

For some types of signals x, the energy is very pulsatile, for examplewith ECG signals, such that the signal has a large crest factor. Beingquasi-periodic, the signal is thus very “spiky” in its waveshape. Thiscan cause ambiguity in the wavelet output amplitude—where thehigher-frequency wavelets are excited more during the spike that duringthe dwell time. (“Ripples” are produced in the amplitude sequence aqpfor the higher frequency wavelets.) This causes biases in the selectionof the band based upon amplitude, where the band selection gets skewedupward during the time locally surrounding the “spikes.”

In one embodiment, the solution would be to increase the order N_(k) ofthe derivative band of the wavelets. Other embodiments would seek toprocess the amplitude sequence aqp to remove/suppress the ripples of aqpdue to the input spikes.

The function flpsQpA.m 3600 in FIG. 14 performs smoothing (low-passfiltering) of the sequences sObj(ib).aqp. In this embodiment anintegral-kernel wavelet operates on the aqp sequence corresponding toeach ib^(th) band. The integral-kernel wavelet smoother, called herethrough MATLAB function flpsfilt( ) is as per operator hq( ) on page 66of Book 1 in Appendix A of the inventor's U.S. Provisional PatentApplication 60/656,630, and FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C, and 7D and theirdescription in U.S. Pat. No. 7,702,502, which claimed benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application 60/656,630, both of which areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety, with N-ordervariable No here corresponding to N_(m) on p. 66 of Book 1 and wQP herecorresponding to N_(w) for hq as per p. 66 of Book 1. Scale wQP isscaled to correspond to a nominal time, though in some embodiments itmay be a constant with respect to band number. Here the “fixed-time”scaling is accomplished through input argument T (in seconds) along withanalytic (center) frequency parameter vector “fan” (in Hz) for eachband. Thus wQP is a vector, in units of number of quarter-phasesapproximating time T for each band. Operator No is the order, and isarbitrary (usually a nominal value of No=2 is used). Output aqpm is thesmoothed amplitude sequence and stored back to sObj as a new field foreach corresponding band. The new smoothed amplitude sequence may then beused for estimating the center of a narrower band range over which totrack the desired component.

The function trkMxQpAGrd 3700 (MATLAB code) in FIGS. 15.1-15.2implements modified tracking, it operates similar to the code 3500 inFIG. 13, except it first identifies a band range using aqpm, at eachstate update, before then finding the max of aqp over that restrictedband range.

The state of aqpm is stored on state variable aqpmSt and the state ofaqp is stored in state variable aqpSt. The resulting tracked componentinformation is output as before, with additional tracked informationfrom aqpm output in second output structure as sQpCmpm. As before incode 3500 in FIG. 13, the desired component QP information is containedin structure sQpCmp fields aqp, ibqp, and iqp and this forms the “QPstream” for this component.

FIG. 16 shows example QP streams 3800. The resulting QP stream 3801 canin some embodiments contain repeated labels 3810 for many consecutivestate updates, sometimes interspersed with “phase reversals” 3820(reversed in the expected forward pattern of labels).

The code 3900 in FIGS. 17.1-17.2 works to both collect all repeats intoa single QP of that label, and to also remove phase reversals.Collection of repeats deletes and collapses the label repeat and takesan amplitude-weighted average of the indices (both time and bandindices) and an average of the amplitude for each epoch of sequentialrepeated labels. The result is a cleaned sequence of QP objects, usefulfor further analysis, storage, or reconstruction as per all of Book 1 inAppendix A of the inventor's U.S. Provisional Patent Application60/656,630, and pp. 1-20 of Appendix B of the inventor's U.S.Provisional Patent Application 60/656,630.

In some embodiments, the present invention uses techniques as described,in particular in paragraphs [0054]-[0060] of the application (columns6-8 of the issued patent), and elsewhere in U.S. Pat. No. 7,702,502,which is incorporated herein by reference.

In some embodiments, the present invention demodulates the fractionalphase components (e.g., QP outputs 2429 of FIG. 2) of the trackedcomponent. In some embodiments, the demodulator unit demodulates theamplitude (using amplitude (AM) demodulation) and/or the instantaneousfrequency sequence (using frequency (FM) demodulation) to give the AMand FM variability of the tracked signal. In some embodiments, thisdemodulated signal; e.g., heart rate physiological parameters areimportant.

In some embodiments, the amplitude and frequency sequences of the QPoutputs 2429 are treated as signals and a transform unit performs atransform (e.g., a wavelet or other suitable transform such as a Walshtransform), and performs an analysis in transform domain, wherein thewavelet scale corresponds to the “sequency” of the QP signals.

In some embodiments, the sequency peaks are measured to determinesequency content. In some embodiments, the present invention graphs theamplitudes and frequencies of the QPs 2429 of the tracked component (QPperiods updated every ¼ phase) and/or runs a transform to find energy atdifferent frequencies or sequencies.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram of a method and apparatus for processing FPparameters to obtain adaptive parameters useful for tracking varyingfrequency components, wherein

x=digitized input signal 4001,

B₁, B₂, . . . B_(N)=Wavelet filters bank 4012,

FP₁, FP₂, . . . FP_(N)=a bank of quarter-phase generators 4010corresponding to each frequency band 4006,

FP₁, FP₂, . . . FP_(N)=a set of streams of quarter-phase parameters 4009corresponding to each frequency band.

In some embodiments, FP selector 4021 is controlled by a selection(control) signal 4022 and selects, at given point in time, one FP streamof the set of FP streams: FP₁, FP₂ . . . FP_(N).

In some embodiments, selection signal 4022 may indicate the band havingthe maximum power or amplitude from among the bands operating on signalx 4001, where a band having maximum amplitude means one of the bandshaving an amplitude no lower than the other bands in the associatedbank. (For purposes of generating the selection or indication signal,the terms “maximum-power” and “maximum-amplitude” are to be usedinterchangeably.) In some embodiments, selection signal 4022 mayindicate the band having the maximum power or amplitude from among thebands operating on another signal, or in another frequency range. Insome embodiments, by associating the maximum-amplitude band indicationwith the band's center frequency, an estimate of the component frequencyis formed, and used as a frequency estimate signal.

In some embodiments, selection signal 4022 indicates a plurality of thebands from which an interpolation can be made from amplitudes of bandssurrounding the band having the maximum amplitude. In some embodiments(where two bands could possibly have the same maximum amplitude), thepresent invention selects one of the bands that has an amplitude nolower than the other bands in the bank (i.e., one of the banks havingthe maximum amplitude). In some embodiments, the center frequencies ofthe bands form the x-values of the points to be interpolated, and theassociated band amplitudes form the y-values of the points to beinterpolated, for example, through a curve fit or a spline. In someembodiments, the interpolation is in the form of a polynomial fit, witha fit of polynomial order N requiring at least N+1 point values (andthus at least N+1 bands including the maximum-amplitude band). In someembodiments, a second-order polynomial (parabolic) fit is performed, asthe convex parabola has a single well-defined peak and a shapeconsistent with an amplitude peak. The parabolic fit would thus requireat least three point values. Performing the parabolic fit and solvingfor the peak of the (convex) parabola results in an amplitude value andfrequency value that estimate respectively the amplitude and frequencyof the frequency component, with higher resolution than estimates formedfrom simple selection of the maximum-amplitude band.

See the illustrative discussion of curve fitting for FIG. 3.3.

In some embodiments the x-values of the fit are formed from indicescorresponding to the ordered position of the respective bands.Performing the parabolic fit and solving for the peak then results in aninterpolated index. In some embodiments the interpolated index can bemapped to the band frequencies through a mapping function orinterpolated table lookup to determine an associated frequency. In someembodiments the interpolated index may be used along with the FP valuesof the bands whose indices straddle the interpolated index, to form aninterpolated FP value with a higher-resolution than either of the directFP values from the bands.

In some embodiments, the band frequencies of the filters are spacedlogarithmically, and the instantaneous frequency is determined byinterpolating upon the logarithms of the band frequencies.

In some embodiments of the invention shown in FIG. 18, the fractionalphases are quarter phases. In other embodiments, other fractional phasesare used.

In some embodiments, the present invention uses the same plurality ofdigital bandpass filters to obtain the signals used to derive theselection signal (e.g., selection signal 2422 of FIG. 2) as is used toobtain the quarter-phase representations that the selection signal isapplied to in order to get the tracked signal, such that the samebandwidth and same center frequencies are used to get the selectionsignal and to provide the data streams that are selected. In otherembodiments, a different plurality of digital bandpass filters to obtainthe signals used to derive the selection signal (e.g., selection signal2422 of FIG. 2), wherein the plurality of selection-signal source inputshave a different set of bandwidths and/or a different set of centerfrequencies as is used to obtain the quarter-phase representations thatthe selection signal is applied to in order to get the tracked signal,such that different bandwidths and/or different center frequencies areused to get the selection signal as are used to provide the data streamsthat are selected. In still other embodiments, the selection signal isderived using some other process than determining one or more maximumamplitudes from a plurality of bandpass-filtered signals and/or theirfractional-phase (e.g., quarter-phase) representations.

In some embodiments, the selection signal provides a plurality ofselection indications such that a plurality of data streams is selected.In some embodiments, the plurality of data streams are interpolated toobtain an “instantaneous” tracked frequency that is updated once perdata cycle (the rate that the values y_(N) arrive), or once per quarterphase (the rate at which the time values of QP_(N) are updated), or onceper full cycle of the tracked component (the rate at which the QP_(N)full-cycle (ABCD) objects updated), or at some other rate.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides an apparatus thatincludes a computer having a storage device; a source of an initialseries of digitized signal values; a first filter bank that includes afirst plurality of digital bandpass filters each operably coupled to thesource of digitized signal values and each configured to digitallyfilter the initial series of digitized signal values, wherein each oneof the first plurality of digital bandpass filters has a respectivecenter frequency that is unique among respective center frequencies ofthe first plurality of digital bandpass filters and a respectivefrequency range that overlaps the respective frequency range of aclosest neighboring one of the first plurality of digital bandpassfilters (i.e., the next-door neighbor's frequency range), and whereineach one of the first plurality of digital bandpass filters has anoutput signal; and a first frequency-component tracker that uses theoutput signals from the plurality of digital bandpass filters to detectand track a first frequency component as that first frequencycomponent's main component moves from one to another frequency range ofthe first plurality of digital bandpass filters, and to storeinformation regarding the tracked frequency component into the storagedevice.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides an apparatus thatincludes: a computer having a storage device; a source of an initialseries of digitized signal values; a first filter bank that includes afirst plurality of digital bandpass filters each operably coupled to thesource of digitized signal values and each configured to digitallyfilter the initial series of digitized signal values, wherein each oneof the first plurality of digital bandpass filters has a respectivecenter frequency that is unique among respective center frequencies ofthe first plurality of digital bandpass filters and a respectivefrequency range, and wherein each one of the first plurality of digitalbandpass filters has an output signal; a first plurality offractional-phase measurement units that each determines a plurality ofamplitude values and a plurality of phase-determined time points perfull waveform cycle of the output signal of a corresponding one of thefirst plurality of digital bandpass filters; and a firstfrequency-component tracker that uses the plurality of amplitude valuesfrom the first plurality of fractional-phase measurement units to detectand track a first frequency component as that first frequencycomponent's frequency moves from one to another frequency range of thefirst plurality of digital bandpass filters, and to store informationregarding the tracked frequency component into the storage device,wherein the stored information includes instantaneous frequency andamplitude of the tracked frequency component at each of a first sequenceof time points. In some embodiments, the first sequence of time pointsinclude interpolated time points derived from the plurality ofphase-determined time points from the first plurality offractional-phase measurement units.

In some embodiments of the apparatus, the first filter bank includes atleast four digital bandpass filters per octave of frequency. In someembodiments of the apparatus, the first filter bank includes at leastsix digital bandpass filters per octave of frequency. In someembodiments of the apparatus, the first filter bank includes at leasteight digital bandpass filters per octave of frequency. In someembodiments of the apparatus, the first filter bank includes at leasttwelve digital bandpass filters per octave of frequency. In someembodiments of the apparatus, the first filter bank includes at leastsixteen digital bandpass filters per octave of frequency. In someembodiments of the apparatus, the first filter bank includes at leasttwenty digital bandpass filters per octave of frequency.

In some embodiments, the first filter bank includes the first pluralityof digital bandpass filters whose center frequencies are spaced relativeto one another based on a logarithmic scale. In some embodiments, thefirst filter bank includes digital bandpass filters whose centerfrequencies are spaced relative to one another based on a linear scale.In some embodiments, the first filter bank includes digital bandpassfilters whose center frequencies are spaced relative to one anotherbased on some other suitable scale. In some embodiments, an entire rangeof center frequencies of the first plurality of digital bandpass filtersare spaced according to a logarithmic scale.

In some embodiments of the apparatus, the first filter bank includesdigital bandpass filters that have center frequencies that cover a rangeof frequencies of at least one octave (i.e., a range of frequencies ofat least 2:1). In some embodiments of the apparatus, the first filterbank includes digital bandpass filters that have center frequencies thatcover a range of frequencies of at least 3:1. In some embodiments of theapparatus, the first filter bank includes digital bandpass filters thathave center frequencies that cover a range of frequencies of at leasttwo octaves (i.e., a range of frequencies of at least 4:1). In someembodiments of the apparatus, the first filter bank includes digitalbandpass filters that have center frequencies that cover a range offrequencies of at least 5:1. In some embodiments of the apparatus, thefirst filter bank includes digital bandpass filters that have centerfrequencies that cover a range of frequencies of at least 6:1. In someembodiments of the apparatus, the first filter bank includes digitalbandpass filters that have center frequencies that cover a range offrequencies of at least 7:1. In some embodiments of the apparatus, thefirst filter bank includes digital bandpass filters that have centerfrequencies that cover a range of frequencies of at least three octaves(i.e., a range of frequencies of at least 8:1). In some embodiments ofthe apparatus, the first filter bank includes digital bandpass filtersthat have center frequencies that cover a range of frequencies of atleast 10:1. In some embodiments of the apparatus, the first filter bankincludes digital bandpass filters that have center frequencies thatcover a range of frequencies from about 30 cycles per minute to at least300 cycles per minute (in this case, a range of 10:1). In someembodiments of the apparatus, the first filter bank includes digitalbandpass filters that have center frequencies that cover a range offrequencies from about 40 cycles per minute to at least 280 cycles perminute (in this case, a range of 7:1). In some embodiments of theapparatus, the first filter bank includes digital bandpass filters thathave center frequencies that are spaced across a range of frequenciesfrom about 40 cycles per minute to at least 240 cycles per minute (inthis case, a range of 6:1). In some embodiments of the apparatus, thefirst filter bank includes digital bandpass filters that have centerfrequencies that are spaced across a range of frequencies from about 50cycles per minute to at least 250 cycles per minute (in this case, arange of 5:1). In some embodiments of the apparatus, the first filterbank includes digital bandpass filters that have center frequencies thatare spaced across a range of frequencies from about 30 cycles per minuteto at least 240 cycles per minute (in this case, a range of 8:1). Insome embodiments of the apparatus, the first filter bank includesdigital bandpass filters that have center frequencies that are spacedacross a range of frequencies from about 50 cycles per minute to atleast 200 cycles per minute (in this case, a range of 4:1).

In some embodiments, the initial digitized signal x 2401 is obtainedfrom a physiological signal sensed from a human, and in some suchembodiments, from an electrocardiogram signal.

In some embodiments of the apparatus, each one of the first plurality ofdigital bandpass filters includes a wavelet-transform filter.

In some embodiments of the apparatus, the first frequency-componenttracker further includes a fractional-phase measurement unit thatdetermines at least two amplitude values, at least one phase-determinedtime point per full waveform cycle of the first tracked frequencycomponent, and a per-unit-time center frequency indication of the firsttracked frequency component for each respective unit of time of thefirst tracked frequency component.

In some embodiments of the apparatus, the first frequency-componenttracker further includes an output quarter-phase measurement unit thatdetermines at least two amplitude values and at least fourphase-determined time points per full waveform cycle of the firsttracked frequency component, and that outputs a first series ofrespective data structures that each indicates the at least twoamplitude values, the at least four phase-determined time points perrespective full waveform cycle of the first tracked frequency component,and a per-cycle center frequency of the first tracked frequencycomponent for the respective full waveform cycle of the first trackedfrequency component.

In some embodiments of the apparatus, the first frequency-componenttracker further includes a first quarter-phase bank that includes afirst plurality of quarter-phase measurement units, each of whichdetermines at least two amplitude values and at least fourphase-determined time points per full waveform cycle of a correspondingone of the first plurality of digital bandpass filters; a quarter-phasemaximum-amplitude determination unit that determines which one of thefirst plurality of quarter-phase measurement units had an amplitudevalue no lower than did any other one of the first plurality ofquarter-phase measurement units during a time period (i.e., thequarter-phase object having maximum amplitude) and that outputs aselection signal based on the determination; and a first selector thatselects information from one of first plurality of quarter-phasemeasurement units based on the selection signal, and outputs theselected information and an indication of the center frequency of thecorresponding one of the first plurality of digital bandpass filters. Insome such embodiments, the selection signal is based on one or morefrequencies of the corresponding one or more of the first plurality ofdigital bandpass filters, and is determined by interpolation. In somesuch embodiments, the quarter-phase maximum-amplitude determination unitfurther includes a data smoother that smoothes amplitude values fromeach of the first plurality of quarter-phase measurement units beforethe quarter-phase maximum-amplitude determination unit determines whichone of the first plurality of quarter-phase measurement units has theamplitude value no lower than did any other one of the first pluralityof quarter-phase measurement units during a time period. In some suchembodiments, the first quarter-phase bank further includes a datasmoother that smoothes amplitude values from each of the first pluralityof digital bandpass filters before the first quarter-phase bankdetermines and outputs at least two amplitude values and at least fourphase-determined time points per full waveform cycle of an output of thecorresponding one of the first plurality of digital bandpass filters.

In some embodiments of the apparatus, the first frequency-componenttracker further includes a maximum-amplitude determination unit thatdetermines which one of the first plurality of first plurality ofdigital bandpass filters had an amplitude value no lower than did anyother one of the first plurality of digital bandpass filters during atime period and that outputs a selection signal based on thedetermination; and a first selector that selects information from one offirst plurality of digital bandpass filters based on the selectionsignal, and outputs the selected information and an indication of thecenter frequency of the selected one of the first plurality of digitalbandpass filters.

In some embodiments of the apparatus, the first frequency-componenttracker further includes a maximum-amplitude determination unit thatdetermines which one of the first plurality of first plurality ofdigital bandpass filters had an amplitude value no lower than did anyother one of the first plurality of digital bandpass filters during atime period and that outputs a selection signal based on thedetermination; a first selector that selects information from one offirst plurality of digital bandpass filters based on the selectionsignal, and outputs the selected information and an indication of thecenter frequency of the selected one of the first plurality of digitalbandpass filters; and a fractional-phase measurement unit thatdetermines at least two amplitude values and at least onephase-determined time point per full waveform cycle of the trackedfrequency component.

In some embodiments of the apparatus, the first frequency-componenttracker further includes a maximum-amplitude determination unit thatdetermines which one of the first plurality of digital bandpass filtershad an amplitude value no lower than did any other one of the firstplurality of digital bandpass filters during a time period and thatoutputs a selection signal based on the determination; a first selectorthat selects information from one of first plurality of digital bandpassfilters based on the selection signal, and outputs the selectedinformation and an indication of the center frequency of the selectedone of the first plurality of digital bandpass filters; and aquarter-phase measurement unit that determines at least two amplitudevalues and at least four phase-determined time points per full waveformcycle of the tracked frequency component. In some such embodiments, thequarter-phase maximum-amplitude determination unit further includes adata smoother that smoothes amplitude values from each of the firstplurality of quarter-phase measurement units before the quarter-phasemaximum-amplitude determination unit determines which one of the firstplurality of quarter-phase measurement units has the amplitude value nolower than did any other one of the first plurality of quarter-phasemeasurement units during a time period. In some such embodiments, thefirst quarter-phase bank further includes a data smoother that smoothesamplitude values from each of the first plurality of digital bandpassfilters before the first quarter-phase bank determines and outputs atleast two amplitude values and at least four phase-determined timepoints per full waveform cycle of an output of the corresponding one ofthe first plurality of digital bandpass filters.

In some embodiments of the apparatus, each one of the first plurality ofdigital bandpass filters is a wavelet-transform filter; and the firstfrequency-component tracker further includes: a first quarter-phase bankthat includes a first plurality of quarter-phase measurement units, eachof which determines at least two amplitude values and at least fourphase-determined time points per full waveform cycle of a correspondingone of the first plurality of digital bandpass filters; a firstquarter-phase maximum-amplitude determination unit that determines whichone of the first plurality of quarter-phase measurement units had anamplitude value no lower than did any other one of the first pluralityof quarter-phase measurement units during a time period and that outputsa selection signal based on the determination; and a first selector thatselects information from one of first plurality of quarter-phasemeasurement units based on the selection signal, and outputs theselected information and an indication of the center frequency of thecorresponding one of the first plurality of digital bandpass filters.

In some embodiments of the apparatus, each one of the first plurality ofdigital bandpass filters is a wavelet-transform filter; and wherein thefirst frequency-component tracker further includes: a firstquarter-phase bank that includes a first plurality of quarter-phasemeasurement units, each of which determines at least two amplitudevalues and at least four phase-determined time points per full waveformcycle of a corresponding one of the first plurality of digital bandpassfilters; a quarter-phase maximum-amplitude determination unit thatdetermines which one of the first plurality of quarter-phase measurementunits had an amplitude value no lower than did any other one of thefirst plurality of quarter-phase measurement units during a time periodand that outputs a selection signal based on the determination; and aselector that selects information from one of first plurality ofquarter-phase measurement units based on the selection signal, andoutputs the selected information and an indication of the centerfrequency of the corresponding one of the first plurality of digitalbandpass filters, and the apparatus further includes a third pluralityof digital bandpass filters, wherein each one of the third plurality ofdigital bandpass filters has a center frequency that is unique among thethird plurality of digital bandpass filters, wherein each one of thethird plurality of digital bandpass filters is a wavelet-transformfilter, and wherein each one of the third plurality of digital bandpassfilters has an output signal; a third plurality of quarter-phasemeasurement units operatively coupled to receive the output signals fromthe third plurality of digital bandpass filters, wherein each of thethird plurality of quarter-phase measurement units determines andoutputs at least two amplitude values and at least four phase-determinedtime points per full waveform cycle of a corresponding one of the thirdplurality of digital bandpass filters.

Some embodiments of the apparatus further include a second plurality ofdigital bandpass filters, wherein each one of the second plurality ofdigital bandpass filters has a respective center frequency thatcorresponds to the respective center frequency of one of the firstplurality of digital bandpass filters and a frequency range that isnarrower than the frequency range of the respective frequency range ofthe one of the first plurality of digital bandpass filters, wherein eachone of the second plurality of digital bandpass filters is awavelet-transform filter, and wherein each one of the second pluralityof digital bandpass filters has an output signal; a second plurality ofquarter-phase measurement units operatively coupled to receive theoutput signals from the second plurality of digital bandpass filters,wherein each of the second plurality of quarter-phase measurement unitsdetermines at least two amplitude values and at least fourphase-determined time points per full waveform cycle of a correspondingone of the second plurality of digital bandpass filters (in someembodiments, this second plurality of digital bandpass filters and thecorresponding second plurality of quarter-phase measurement units areused to derive the selection signal applied to the selector discussedbelow); wherein each one of the first plurality of digital bandpassfilters is a wavelet-transform filter; and wherein the firstfrequency-component tracker further includes: a first quarter-phase bankthat includes a first plurality of quarter-phase measurement units, eachof which determines at least two amplitude values and at least fourphase-determined time points per full waveform cycle of a correspondingone of the first plurality of digital bandpass filters; a quarter-phasemaximum-amplitude determination unit that determines which one of thesecond plurality of quarter-phase measurement units had an amplitudevalue no lower than did any other one of the second plurality ofquarter-phase measurement units during a time period and that outputs aselection signal based on the determination; a selector that selectsinformation from one of first plurality of quarter-phase measurementunits based on the selection signal, and outputs the selectedinformation and an indication of the center frequency of thecorresponding one of the first plurality of digital bandpass filters(e.g., the second plurality of digital bandpass filters and/or thesecond plurality of quarter-phase measurement units are used to derivethe selection signal, which is used by the tracker-selector, from themaximum amplitude of the outputs of these filters or these QP units);and a third plurality of digital bandpass filters, wherein each one ofthe third plurality of digital bandpass filters has a center frequencythat is unique among the third plurality of digital bandpass filters,wherein each one of the third plurality of digital bandpass filters is awavelet-transform filter, and wherein each one of the third plurality ofdigital bandpass filters has an output signal; a third plurality ofquarter-phase measurement units operatively coupled to receive theoutput signals from the third plurality of digital bandpass filters,wherein each of the third plurality of quarter-phase measurement unitsdetermines at least two amplitude values and at least fourphase-determined time points per full waveform cycle of a correspondingone of the third plurality of digital bandpass filters. In someembodiments, the third plurality of digital bandpass filters and thethird plurality of quarter-phase measurement units are not used to trackcomponents of the signal x, since in some embodiments, the frequenciesof these components do not widely vary in frequency.

In other embodiments, the present invention provides has a fixed bankthat provides QP objects at frequencies that are not processed to trackcomponents as those components move from the frequency band of onedigital bandpass filter to that of its neighbor.

Some embodiments of the apparatus further include a second plurality ofdigital bandpass filters, wherein each one of the second plurality ofdigital bandpass filters has a respective center frequency thatcorresponds to the respective center frequency of one of the firstplurality of digital bandpass filters and a frequency range that isnarrower than the frequency range of the respective frequency range ofthe one of the first plurality of digital bandpass filters, wherein eachone of the second plurality of digital bandpass filters is awavelet-transform filter, and wherein each one of the second pluralityof digital bandpass filters has an output signal; a second plurality ofquarter-phase measurement units operatively coupled to receive theoutput signals from the second plurality of digital bandpass filters,wherein each of the second plurality of quarter-phase measurement unitsdetermines and outputs a series of QP objects, wherein each one of theseries of QP objects has at least two amplitude values and at least fourphase-determined time points per full waveform cycle of a correspondingone of the second plurality of digital bandpass filters; and whereineach one of the first plurality of digital bandpass filters is awavelet-transform filter; and wherein the first frequency-componenttracker further includes: a first quarter-phase bank that includes afirst plurality of quarter-phase measurement units, each of whichdetermines at least two amplitude values and at least fourphase-determined time points per full waveform cycle of a correspondingone of the first plurality of digital bandpass filters; a quarter-phasemaximum-amplitude determination unit that determines which one of thesecond plurality of quarter-phase measurement units had an amplitudevalue no lower than did any other one of the second plurality ofquarter-phase measurement units during a time period and that outputs aselection signal based on the determination; and a selector that selectsinformation from one of first plurality of quarter-phase measurementunits based on the selection signal, and outputs the selectedinformation and an indication of the center frequency of thecorresponding one of the first plurality of digital bandpass filters.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides acomputer-implemented method that includes: digitally filtering aninitial series of digitized signal values in a computer to generate afirst plurality of digitally bandpass filtered signals, wherein each oneof the first plurality of digitally frequency filtered signals has arespective center frequency that is unique among respective centerfrequencies of the first plurality of digitally frequency filteredsignals and a respective frequency range that overlaps the respectivefrequency range of a closest neighboring one of the first plurality ofdigitally frequency filtered signals; using the first plurality ofdigitally frequency filtered signals for detecting and tracking, in thecomputer, a first frequency component as that first frequencycomponent's main component moves from one to another frequency range ofthe first plurality of digitally frequency filtered signals; and storinginformation regarding the tracked frequency component into a storagedevice.

In some embodiments of the computer-implemented method, the digitallyfiltering includes wavelet-transforming the initial series of digitizedsignal values to generate a plurality of wavelet-transformed signals.

In some embodiments of the computer-implemented method, the using of thefirst plurality of digitally frequency filtered signals for detectingand tracking the first frequency component further includes: determiningand outputting at least two amplitude values, at least onephase-determined time point per full waveform cycle of the first trackedfrequency component, and a per-unit-time center frequency indication ofthe first tracked frequency component for each respective unit of timeof the first tracked frequency component.

In some embodiments of the computer-implemented method, the using of thefirst plurality of digitally frequency filtered signals for detectingand tracking the first frequency component further includes: determiningat least two amplitude values and at least four phase-determined timepoints per full waveform cycle of the first tracked frequency component,and outputting a first series of respective data structures that eachindicates the at least two amplitude values, the at least fourphase-determined time points per respective full waveform cycle of thefirst tracked frequency component, and a per-cycle center frequency ofthe first tracked frequency component for the respective full waveformcycle of the first tracked frequency component.

In some embodiments of the computer-implemented method, the using of thefirst plurality of digitally frequency filtered signals for detectingand tracking the first frequency component further includes: performinga first plurality of quarter-phase measurements, each of whichdetermines at least two amplitude values and at least fourphase-determined time points per full waveform cycle of a correspondingone of the first plurality of digitally frequency filtered signals, andoutputting a resulting plurality of quarter-phase objects; performing aquarter-phase maximum-amplitude determination of which one of the firstplurality of quarter-phase objects had an amplitude value no lower thandid any other one of the first plurality of quarter-phase objects duringa time period (i.e., the quarter-phase object having maximum amplitudeduring that time period) and outputting a selection signal based on thedetermination; and selecting information from one of first plurality ofquarter-phase objects based on the selection signal, and outputting theselected information and an indication of the center frequency of thecorresponding one of the first plurality of digitally frequency filteredsignals. This selecting is based QP output. In some embodiments, theselecting is done each quarter period (four times per cycle), while inother embodiments, the selecting is done once per cycle, while in otherembodiments, the selecting is done at other intervals.

In some embodiments of the computer-implemented method, the using of thefirst plurality of digitally frequency filtered signals for detectingand tracking the first frequency component further includes: determiningwhich one of the first plurality of digitally frequency filtered signalshad an amplitude value no lower than did any other one of the firstplurality of digitally frequency filtered signals during a time periodand outputting a selection signal based on the determination; andselecting information from one of first plurality of digitally frequencyfiltered output signals based on the selection signal, and outputtingthe selected information and an indication of the center frequency ofthe selected one of the first plurality of digitally frequency filteredsignals. In these embodiments, this selecting is based on filter outputrather than QP output. In some embodiments, the selecting is done onceper y_(n) cycle, while in other embodiments, the selecting is done atother intervals.

In some embodiments of the computer-implemented method, the using of thefirst plurality of digitally frequency filtered signals for detectingand tracking the first frequency component further includes: determiningwhich one of the first plurality of first plurality of digitallyfrequency filtered signals had an amplitude value no lower than did anyother one of the first plurality of digitally frequency filtered signalsduring a time period and outputting a selection signal based on thedetermination; selecting information from one of first plurality ofdigitally frequency filtered signals based on the selection signal, andoutputting the selected information and an indication of the centerfrequency of the selected one of the first plurality of digitallyfrequency filtered signals; and performing a fractional-phasemeasurement that determines at least two amplitude values and at leastone phase-determined time point per full waveform cycle of the trackedfrequency component. In these embodiments, this selecting is based onfilter output rather than QP output. In some embodiments, the selectingis done once per y_(n) cycle, while in other embodiments, the selectingis done at other intervals.

In some embodiments of the computer-implemented method, the using of thefirst plurality of digitally frequency filtered signals for detectingand tracking the first frequency component further includes: determiningwhich one of the first plurality of first plurality of digitallyfrequency filtered signals had an amplitude value no lower than did anyother one of the first plurality of digitally frequency filtered signalsduring a time period and outputting a selection signal based on thedetermination; selecting information from one of first plurality ofdigitally frequency filtered signals based on the selection signal, andoutputs the selected information and an indication of the centerfrequency of the selected one of the first plurality of digitallyfrequency filtered signals; and performing a quarter-phase measurementthat determines and outputs at least two amplitude values and at leastfour phase-determined time points per full waveform cycle of the trackedfrequency component. In these embodiments, this selecting is based onfilter output rather than QP output. In some embodiments, the selectingis done once per y_(n) cycle, while in other embodiments, the selectingis done at other intervals.

In some embodiments of the computer-implemented method, each one of thefirst plurality of digitally frequency filtered signals is awavelet-transformed frequency filtered signal; and the using of thefirst plurality of digitally frequency filtered signals for detectingand tracking the first frequency component further includes: performinga first plurality of quarter-phase measurements, each of whichdetermines at least two amplitude values and at least fourphase-determined time points per full waveform cycle of a correspondingone of the first plurality of digital bandpass filters; determiningwhich one of the first plurality of quarter-phase measurements had anamplitude value no lower than did any other one of the first pluralityof quarter-phase measurements during a time period and outputting aselection signal based on the determination; and selecting informationfrom one of first plurality of quarter-phase measurements based on theselection signal, and outputting the selected information and anindication of the center frequency of the corresponding one of the firstplurality of digital bandpass filters. In these embodiments, thisselecting is based QP output. In some embodiments, the selecting is doneeach quarter period (four times per cycle), while in other embodiments,the selecting is done once per cycle, while in other embodiments, theselecting is done at other intervals.

Some embodiments of the computer-implemented method and wherein each oneof the first plurality of digitally frequency filtered signals is awavelet-transformed frequency-filtered signal; and wherein the using ofthe first plurality of digitally frequency filtered signals fordetecting and tracking the first frequency component further includes:performing a first plurality of quarter-phase measurements, each ofwhich determines at least two amplitude values and at least fourphase-determined time points per full waveform cycle of a correspondingone of the first plurality of digitally frequency filtered signals;determining which one of the first plurality of quarter-phasemeasurements had an amplitude value no lower than did any other one ofthe first plurality of quarter-phase measurements during a time periodand outputting a selection signal based on the determination; andselecting information from one of first plurality of quarter-phasemeasurements based on the selection signal, and outputting the selectedinformation and an indication of the center frequency of thecorresponding one of the first plurality of digitally frequency filteredsignals. These embodiment of the method further include digitallyfiltering the initial series of digitized signal values in a computer togenerate a third plurality of digitally frequency filtered signals,wherein each one of the third plurality of digitally frequency filteredsignals has a center frequency that is unique among the third pluralityof digitally frequency filtered signals and a frequency range thatoverlaps the frequency range of a closest neighboring one of the thirdplurality of digitally frequency filtered signals, wherein each one ofthe third plurality of digitally frequency filtered signals is awavelet-transformed frequency-filtered signal (these digitally frequencyfiltered signals are for non-tracked components); performing a thirdplurality of quarter-phase measurements, each of which determines atleast two amplitude values and at least four phase-determined timepoints per full waveform cycle of a corresponding one of the thirdplurality of digitally frequency filtered signals (these quarter-phasemeasurements are for non-tracked components). In these embodiments, thisselecting is based on QP output signals. In some embodiments, theselecting is done each quarter period (four times per cycle), while inother embodiments, the selecting is done once per cycle, while in otherembodiments, the selecting is done at other intervals.

Some embodiments of the computer-implemented method further includedigitally filtering the initial series of digitized signal values togenerate a second plurality of digitally frequency filtered signals,wherein each one of the second plurality of digitally frequency filteredsignals has a respective center frequency that corresponds to therespective center frequency of one of the first plurality of digitallyfrequency filtered signals and a frequency range that is narrower thanthe frequency range of the respective frequency range of the one of thefirst plurality of digitally frequency filtered signals, and whereineach one of the second plurality of digitally frequency filtered signalsis a wavelet-transformed filtered signal (e.g., in some embodiments,this second plurality of digitally frequency filtered signalscorresponds to the narrow-band filters graphed in FIG. 3.2); performinga second plurality of quarter-phase measurements on the second pluralityof digitally frequency filtered signals, wherein each of the secondplurality of quarter-phase measurements determines at least twoamplitude values and at least four phase-determined time points per fullwaveform cycle of a corresponding one of the second plurality ofdigitally frequency filtered signals; wherein each one of the firstplurality of digitally frequency filtered signals is awavelet-transformed filtered signal; and wherein the using of the firstplurality of digitally frequency filtered signals for detecting andtracking the first frequency component further includes: performing afirst plurality of quarter-phase measurements, each of which determinesat least two amplitude values and at least four phase-determined timepoints per full waveform cycle of a corresponding one of the firstplurality of digitally frequency filtered signals (e.g., in someembodiments, this maximum so from the second plurality of digitallyfrequency filtered signals that corresponds to the narrow-band filtersgraphed in FIG. 3.2); determining which one of the first plurality ofquarter-phase measurements an amplitude value no lower than did anyother one of the first plurality of quarter-phase measurement unitsduring a time period and outputting a selection signal based on thedetermination; and selecting information from one of first plurality ofquarter-phase measurements based on the selection signal, and outputtingthe selected information and an indication of the center frequency ofthe corresponding one of the first plurality of digitally frequencyfiltered signals (e.g., in some embodiments, this selection is based onthe maximum QP amplitude this cycle from the second plurality ofdigitally frequency filtered signals that corresponds to the narrow-bandfilters graphed in FIG. 3.2, but is used to select from a correspondingone of the wide-band filters graphed in FIG. 3.1) These embodimentsfurther of the method further include digitally filtering the initialseries of digitized signal values to generate a second plurality ofdigitally frequency filtered signals, wherein each one of the secondplurality of digitally frequency filtered signals has a center frequencythat is unique among the second plurality of digitally frequencyfiltered signals, and wherein each one of the second plurality ofdigitally frequency filtered signals is a wavelet-transformed filteredsignal (these digitally frequency filtered signals are for non-trackedcomponents); performing a second plurality of quarter-phase measurementson the second plurality of digitally frequency filtered signals, whereineach of the second plurality of quarter-phase measurements determinesand outputs at least two amplitude values and at least fourphase-determined time points per full waveform cycle of a correspondingone of the second plurality of digitally frequency filtered signals(these quarter-phase measurements are for non-tracked components).

Some embodiments of the computer-implemented method further includesdigitally filtering the initial series of digitized signal values togenerate a second plurality of digitally frequency filtered signals,wherein each one of the second plurality of digitally frequency filteredsignals has a respective center frequency that corresponds to therespective center frequency of one of the first plurality of digitallyfrequency filtered signals and a frequency range that is narrower thanthe frequency range of the respective frequency range of the one of thefirst plurality of digitally frequency filtered signals, and whereineach one of the second plurality of digitally frequency filtered signalsis a wavelet-transformed filtered signal; performing a second pluralityof quarter-phase measurements on the second plurality of digitallyfrequency filtered signals, wherein each of the second plurality ofquarter-phase measurements determines and outputs a series of QPobjects, wherein each one of the series of QP objects has at least twoamplitude values and at least four phase-determined time points per fullwaveform cycle of a corresponding one of the second plurality ofdigitally frequency filtered signals; and wherein each one of the firstplurality of digitally frequency filtered signals is awavelet-transformed filtered signal; and wherein the using of the firstplurality of digitally frequency filtered signals for detecting andtracking the first frequency component further includes: performing afirst plurality of quarter-phase measurements, each of which determinesat least two amplitude values and at least four phase-determined timepoints per full waveform cycle of a corresponding one of the firstplurality of digitally frequency filtered signals; determining which oneof the second plurality of quarter-phase measurements an amplitude valueno lower than did any other one of the second plurality of quarter-phasemeasurement units during a time period and outputting a selection signalbased on the determination; and selecting information from one of firstplurality of quarter-phase measurements based on the selection signal,and outputting the selected information and an indication of the centerfrequency of the corresponding one of the first plurality of digitallyfrequency filtered signals (e.g., in some embodiments, this selection isbased on the maximum QP amplitude this cycle from the second pluralityof digitally frequency filtered signals that corresponds to thenarrow-band filters graphed in FIG. 3.2, but is used to select from acorresponding one of the wide-band filters graphed in FIG. 3.1).

In some embodiments, the present invention provides a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon,wherein the instructions, when executed by a suitably programmedcomputer, perform a method that includes: digitally filtering an initialseries of digitized signal values in the computer to generate a firstplurality of digitally frequency filtered signals, wherein each one ofthe first plurality of digitally frequency filtered signals has arespective center frequency that is unique among respective centerfrequencies of the first plurality of digitally frequency filteredsignals and a respective frequency range that overlaps the respectivefrequency range of a closest neighboring one of the first plurality ofdigitally frequency filtered signals; and using the first plurality ofdigitally frequency filtered signals for detecting and tracking, in thecomputer, a first frequency component as that first frequencycomponent's main component moves from one to another frequency range ofthe first plurality of digitally frequency filtered signals.

In some embodiments of the computer-readable storage medium, thedigitally filtering includes wavelet-transforming the initial series ofdigitized signal values to generate a plurality of wavelet-transformedsignals.

In some embodiments of the computer-readable storage medium, the mediumfurther includes instructions to perform any of the other aspects of themethods described herein.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides an apparatus thatincludes: a computer having a storage device; means for digitallyfiltering an initial series of digitized signal values in the computerto generate a first plurality of digitally frequency filtered signals,wherein each one of the first plurality of digitally frequency filteredsignals has a respective center frequency that is unique amongrespective center frequencies of the first plurality of digitallyfrequency filtered signals and a respective frequency range thatoverlaps the respective frequency range of a closest neighboring one ofthe first plurality of digitally frequency filtered signals; and meansfor detecting and tracking, in the computer, a first frequency componentas that first frequency component's main component moves from one toanother frequency range of the first plurality of digitally frequencyfiltered signals.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides an apparatus 4000that includes: a computer having a storage device; a source of aninitial series of digitized signal values; a first filter bank thatincludes a first plurality of digital bandpass filters each operablycoupled to the source of digitized signal values and each configured todigitally filter the initial series of digitized signal values, whereineach one of the first plurality of digital bandpass filters has arespective center frequency that is unique among respective centerfrequencies of the first plurality of digital bandpass filters and arespective frequency range, and wherein each one of the first pluralityof digital bandpass filters has an output signal; a first plurality offractional-phase measurement units that each determines a plurality ofamplitude values and a plurality of phase-determined time points perfull waveform cycle of the output signal of a corresponding one of thefirst plurality of digital bandpass filters; and a firstfrequency-component tracker that uses the plurality of amplitude valuesfrom the first plurality of fractional-phase measurement units to detectand track a first tracked frequency component as that first trackedfrequency component's frequency moves from one to another frequencyrange of the first plurality of digital bandpass filters, and to storeinformation regarding the tracked frequency component into the storagedevice. In some such embodiments, the stored information includesinstantaneous frequency and amplitude of the tracked frequency componentat each of a first sequence of time points.

In some embodiments of apparatus 4000, each one of the first pluralityof digital bandpass filters includes a filter based on a wavelet from awavelet transform.

In some embodiments of apparatus 4000, the first frequency-componenttracker further includes a quarter-phase output unit that determines atleast two amplitude values and at least four phase-determined timepoints per full waveform cycle of the first tracked frequency component,and that outputs a first series of respective data structures that eachindicates the at least two amplitude values, the at least fourphase-determined time points per respective full waveform cycle of thefirst tracked frequency component, and a per-time-point instantaneousfrequency indication of the first tracked frequency component.

In some embodiments of apparatus 4000, the first plurality offractional-phase measurement units are quarter-phase measurement units,each of which determines and outputs at least two amplitude values andat least four phase-determined time points per full waveform cycle of anoutput of the corresponding one of the first plurality of digitalbandpass filters. This apparatus further includes a quarter-phasemaximum-amplitude determination unit that determines which one of thefirst plurality of quarter-phase measurement units has an amplitudevalue no lower than did any other one of the first plurality ofquarter-phase measurement units during a time period and that outputs aselection signal based on the determination; and a first selector thatselects information from at least one of the first plurality ofquarter-phase measurement units based on the selection signal, andoutputs the selected information and an indication of the centerfrequency of the corresponding one or more of the first plurality ofdigital bandpass filters. In some such embodiments, the center frequencyof the corresponding one or more of the first plurality of digitalbandpass filters is determined by interpolation. In other embodiments,the quarter-phase maximum-amplitude determination unit further includesa data smoother that smoothes amplitude values from each of the firstplurality of quarter-phase measurement units before the quarter-phasemaximum-amplitude determination unit determines which one of the firstplurality of quarter-phase measurement units has the amplitude value nolower than did any other one of the first plurality of quarter-phasemeasurement units during a time period.

In some embodiments of apparatus 4000, the first quarter-phase bankfurther includes a data smoother that smoothes amplitude values fromeach of the first plurality of digital bandpass filters before the firstquarter-phase bank determines and outputs at least two amplitude valuesand at least four phase-determined time points per full waveform cycleof an output of the corresponding one of the first plurality of digitalbandpass filters.

In some embodiments of apparatus 4000, each one of the first pluralityof digital bandpass filters includes a filter based on a wavelet from awavelet transform, the first plurality of fractional-phase measurementunits are quarter-phase measurement units, each of which determines andoutputs at least two amplitude values and at least four phase-determinedtime points per full waveform cycle of an output of the correspondingone of the first plurality of digital bandpass filters, and the firstfrequency-component tracker further includes: a quarter-phasemaximum-amplitude determination unit that determines which one of thefirst plurality of quarter-phase measurement units had an amplitudevalue no lower than did any other one of the first plurality ofquarter-phase measurement units during a time period and that outputs aselection signal based on the determination; and a selector that selectsinformation from one of first plurality of quarter-phase measurementunits based on the selection signal, and outputs the selectedinformation and an indication of the center frequency of thecorresponding one of the first plurality of digital bandpass filters.

Some embodiments of apparatus 4000 further include a second plurality ofdigital bandpass filters, wherein each one of the second plurality ofdigital bandpass filters has a respective center frequency thatcorresponds to the respective center frequency of one of the firstplurality of digital bandpass filters and a frequency range that isnarrower than the frequency range of the respective frequency range ofthe one of the first plurality of digital bandpass filters, wherein eachone of the second plurality of digital bandpass filters includes afilter based on a wavelet from a wavelet transform, and wherein each oneof the second plurality of digital bandpass filters has an outputsignal; a second plurality of quarter-phase measurement unitsoperatively coupled to receive the output signals from the secondplurality of digital bandpass filters, wherein each of the secondplurality of quarter-phase measurement units determines at least twoamplitude values and at least four phase-determined time points per fullwaveform cycle of a corresponding one of the second plurality of digitalbandpass filters; wherein each one of the first plurality of digitalbandpass filters includes a filter based on a wavelet from a wavelettransform; and wherein the first plurality of fractional-phasemeasurement units are quarter-phase measurement units, each of whichdetermines and outputs at least two amplitude values and at least fourphase-determined time points per full waveform cycle of an output of thecorresponding one of the first plurality of digital bandpass filters;and wherein the first frequency-component tracker further includes: aquarter-phase maximum-amplitude determination unit that determines whichone of the second plurality of quarter-phase measurement units had anamplitude value no lower than did any other one of the second pluralityof quarter-phase measurement units during a time period and that outputsa selection signal based on the determination; and a selector thatselects information from one of first plurality of quarter-phasemeasurement units based on the selection signal, and outputs theselected information and an indication of the center frequency of thecorresponding one of the first plurality of digital bandpass filters.

Some embodiments of apparatus 4000 further include a second plurality ofdigital bandpass filters, wherein each one of the second plurality ofdigital bandpass filters has a respective center frequency thatcorresponds to the respective center frequency of one of the firstplurality of digital bandpass filters and a frequency range that isnarrower than the frequency range of the respective frequency range ofthe one of the first plurality of digital bandpass filters, wherein eachone of the second plurality of digital bandpass filters includes afilter based on a wavelet from a wavelet transform, and wherein each oneof the second plurality of digital bandpass filters has an outputsignal; a second plurality of quarter-phase measurement unitsoperatively coupled to receive the output signals from the secondplurality of digital bandpass filters, wherein each of the secondplurality of quarter-phase measurement units determines at least twoamplitude values and at least four phase-determined time points per fullwaveform cycle of a corresponding one of the second plurality of digitalbandpass filters, wherein each one of the first plurality of digitalbandpass filters includes a filter based on a wavelet from a wavelettransform, and wherein the first plurality of fractional-phasemeasurement units are quarter-phase measurement units, each of whichdetermines and outputs at least two amplitude values and at least fourphase-determined time points per full waveform cycle of an output of thecorresponding one of the first plurality of digital bandpass filters;wherein the first frequency-component tracker further includes: aquarter-phase maximum-amplitude determination unit that determines whichone of the second plurality of quarter-phase measurement units had anamplitude value no lower than did any other one of the second pluralityof quarter-phase measurement units during a time period and that outputsa selection signal based on the determination; a selector that selectsinformation from one of first plurality of quarter-phase measurementunits based on the selection signal, and outputs the selectedinformation and an indication of the center frequency of thecorresponding one of the first plurality of digital bandpass filters; athird plurality of digital bandpass filters, wherein each one of thethird plurality of digital bandpass filters has a center frequency thatis unique among the third plurality of digital bandpass filters, whereineach one of the third plurality of digital bandpass filters includes afilter based on a wavelet from a wavelet transform, and wherein each oneof the third plurality of digital bandpass filters has an output signal;and a third plurality of quarter-phase measurement units operativelycoupled to receive the output signals from the third plurality ofdigital bandpass filters, wherein each of the third plurality ofquarter-phase measurement units determines at least two amplitude valuesand at least four phase-determined time points per full waveform cycleof a corresponding one of the third plurality of digital bandpassfilters. In some such embodiments, the third plurality of digitalbandpass filters is not used to track a tracked frequency component.

In some embodiments of apparatus 4000, each one of the first pluralityof digital bandpass filters includes a filter based on a wavelet from awavelet transform; and wherein the first plurality of fractional-phasemeasurement units are quarter-phase measurement units, each of whichdetermines and outputs at least two amplitude values and at least fourphase-determined time points per full waveform cycle of an output of thecorresponding one of the first plurality of digital bandpass filters;wherein the first frequency-component tracker further includes: aquarter-phase maximum-amplitude determination unit that determines whichone of the first plurality of quarter-phase measurement units had anamplitude value no lower than did any other one of the first pluralityof quarter-phase measurement units during a time period and that outputsa selection signal based on the determination; and a selector thatselects information from one of first plurality of quarter-phasemeasurement units based on the selection signal, and outputs theselected information and an indication of the center frequency of thecorresponding one of the first plurality of digital bandpass filters.This apparatus further includes a third plurality of digital bandpassfilters each operably coupled to the source of digitized signal values,wherein each one of the third plurality of digital bandpass filters hasa center frequency that is unique among the third plurality of digitalbandpass filters, wherein each one of the third plurality of digitalbandpass filters includes a filter based on a wavelet from a wavelettransform, and wherein each one of the third plurality of digitalbandpass filters has an output signal; and a third plurality ofquarter-phase measurement units operatively coupled to receive theoutput signals from the third plurality of digital bandpass filters,wherein each of the third plurality of quarter-phase measurement unitsdetermines and outputs at least two amplitude values and at least fourphase-determined time points per full waveform cycle of a correspondingone of the third plurality of digital bandpass filters. In some suchembodiments, the third plurality of digital bandpass filters is not usedto track a tracked frequency component.

Some embodiments of apparatus 4000 further include a second plurality ofdigital bandpass filters, wherein each one of the second plurality ofdigital bandpass filters has a respective center frequency thatcorresponds to the respective center frequency of one of the firstplurality of digital bandpass filters and a frequency range that isnarrower than the frequency range of the respective frequency range ofthe one of the first plurality of digital bandpass filters, wherein eachone of the second plurality of digital bandpass filters includes afilter based on a wavelet from a wavelet transform, and wherein each oneof the second plurality of digital bandpass filters has an outputsignal; a second plurality of quarter-phase measurement unitsoperatively coupled to receive the output signals from the secondplurality of digital bandpass filters, wherein each of the secondplurality of quarter-phase measurement units determines and outputs aseries of QP objects, wherein each one of the series of QP objects hasat least two amplitude values and at least four phase-determined timepoints per full waveform cycle of a corresponding one of the secondplurality of digital bandpass filters; and wherein each one of the firstplurality of digital bandpass filters includes a filter based on awavelet from a wavelet transform; wherein each one of the firstplurality of digital bandpass filters includes a filter based on awavelet from a wavelet transform; and wherein the first plurality offractional-phase measurement units are quarter-phase measurement units,each of which determines and outputs at least two amplitude values andat least four phase-determined time points per full waveform cycle of anoutput of the corresponding one of the first plurality of digitalbandpass filters. In some such embodiments, the firstfrequency-component tracker further includes: a quarter-phasemaximum-amplitude determination unit that determines which one of thesecond plurality of quarter-phase measurement units had an amplitudevalue no lower than did any other one of the second plurality ofquarter-phase measurement units during a time period and that outputs aselection signal based on the determination; a selector that selectsinformation from one of first plurality of quarter-phase measurementunits based on the selection signal, and outputs the selectedinformation and an indication of the center frequency of thecorresponding one of the first plurality of digital bandpass filters.

In some embodiments of apparatus 4000, the first frequency-componenttracker further includes a fractional-phase output unit that determinesa plurality of amplitude values, a plurality of phase-determined timepoints per full waveform cycle of the first tracked frequency component,and at least one per-unit-time instantaneous-frequency indication basedon outputs of selected ones of the first plurality of fractional-phasemeasurement units for the first tracked frequency component. In somesuch embodiments, the fractional-phase output unit includes afractional-phase sequence corrector that corrects a sequence offractional-phase labels and adjusts corresponding amplitudes and timepoints of the sequence.

In some embodiments of apparatus 4000, the first frequency-componenttracker further includes a data smoother that smoothes amplitude valuesfrom each of the first plurality of fractional-phase measurement unitsbefore the first frequency-component tracker detects and tracks thetracked frequency component as that tracked frequency component'sfrequency moves from one to another frequency range of the firstplurality of digital bandpass filters.

In some embodiments of apparatus 4000, the data smoother smoothesamplitude values from each of the first plurality of fractional-phasemeasurement units using at least some different numbers of sample valuesfor different ones of the first plurality of fractional-phasemeasurement units based on the respective center frequencies of thefirst plurality of digital bandpass filters in order that the smootherincludes approximately an equal amount of elapsed time for the number ofsample values for the different ones of the first plurality of digitalbandpass filters.

In some embodiments of apparatus 4000, the data smoother smoothesamplitude values from each of the first plurality of fractional-phasemeasurement units using low-pass filters.

In some embodiments of apparatus 4000, the data smoother smoothesamplitude values from each of the first plurality of fractional-phasemeasurement units using moving averages.

In some embodiments of apparatus 4000, the first frequency-componenttracker further includes: a maximum-amplitude determination unit thatdetermines which one of the first plurality of first plurality ofdigital bandpass filters had an amplitude value no lower than did anyother one of the first plurality of digital bandpass filters during atime period and that outputs a selection signal based on thedetermination; and a first selector that selects information from atleast one of first plurality of digital bandpass filters based on theselection signal, and outputs the selected information and an indicationof the center frequency of the selected at least one of the firstplurality of digital bandpass filters.

In some embodiments of apparatus 4000, the first frequency-componenttracker further includes: a maximum-amplitude determination unit thatdetermines which one of the first plurality of first plurality ofdigital bandpass filters had an amplitude value no lower than did anyother one of the first plurality of digital bandpass filters during atime period and that outputs a selection signal based on thedetermination; a first selector that selects information from one offirst plurality of digital bandpass filters based on the selectionsignal (i.e., selection based on the filter signals rather than thefractional- or quarter-phase outputs), and outputs the selectedinformation and an indication of the center frequency of the selectedone of the first plurality of digital bandpass filters; and afractional-phase measurement unit that determines and a plurality ofphase-determined time points and amplitude values per full waveformcycle of the tracked frequency component.

In some embodiments of apparatus 4000, the first frequency-componenttracker further includes: a maximum-amplitude determination unit thatdetermines which one of the first plurality of first plurality ofdigital bandpass filters had an amplitude value no lower than did anyother one of the first plurality of digital bandpass filters during atime period and that outputs a selection signal based on thedetermination; a first selector that selects information from at leastone of first plurality of digital bandpass filters based on theselection signal, and outputs the selected information and an indicationof the center frequency of the selected at least one of the firstplurality of digital bandpass filters; and a quarter-phase measurementunit that determines at least two amplitude values and at least fourphase-determined time points per full waveform cycle of the trackedfrequency component.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides a method 4000 thatincludes: digitally filtering an initial series of digitized signalvalues in a computer to generate a first plurality of digitallybandpass-filtered signals, wherein each one of the first plurality ofdigitally bandpass-filtered signals has a respective center frequencythat is unique among respective center frequencies of the firstplurality of digitally bandpass-filtered signals and a respectivefrequency range that overlaps the respective frequency range of aclosest neighboring one of the first plurality of digitallybandpass-filtered signals; determining a first plurality offractional-phase amplitude values and a plurality offractional-phase-determined time points per full waveform cycle of acorresponding one of the first plurality of digitally bandpass filteredsignals; using the first plurality of fractional-phase amplitude valuesfor detecting and tracking, in the computer, a first tracked frequencycomponent as that first tracked frequency component's main componentmoves from one to another frequency range of the first plurality ofdigitally bandpass-filtered signals; and storing information regardingthe tracked frequency component into a storage device. In some suchembodiments, the stored information includes instantaneous frequency andamplitude of the tracked frequency component at each of a first sequenceof time points.

In some embodiments of method 4000, the digitally filtering includesfiltering the initial series of digitized signal values to generate aplurality of wavelet-transformed signals, based on a wavelet from awavelet transform.

In some embodiments of method 4000, the using of the first plurality offractional-phase amplitude values for detecting and tracking the firsttracked frequency component further includes determining and outputtingat least two amplitude values, at least one phase-determined time pointper full waveform cycle of the first tracked frequency component, and aper-unit-time center frequency indication of the first tracked frequencycomponent for each respective unit of time of the first trackedfrequency component.

In some embodiments of method 4000, the using of the first plurality offractional-phase amplitude values for detecting and tracking the firstfrequency component further includes determining at least two amplitudevalues and at least four phase-determined time points per full waveformcycle of the first tracked frequency component, and outputting a firstseries of respective quarter-phase data structures that each indicatesthe at least two amplitude values, the at least four phase-determinedtime points per respective full waveform cycle of the first trackedfrequency component, and a per-cycle center frequency of the firsttracked frequency component for the respective full waveform cycle ofthe first tracked frequency component.

In some embodiments of method 4000, the determining of the firstplurality of fractional-phase amplitude values and a plurality offractional-phase-determined time points includes performing a firstplurality of quarter-phase measurements, each of which determines atleast two amplitude values and at least four phase-determined timepoints per full waveform cycle of a corresponding one of the firstplurality of digitally bandpass filtered signals, and outputting aresulting plurality of quarter-phase objects, and the using of the firstplurality of fractional-phase amplitude values for detecting andtracking the first frequency component further includes: performing aquarter-phase maximum-amplitude determination of which one of the firstplurality of quarter-phase objects had an amplitude value no lower thandid any other one of the first plurality of quarter-phase objects duringa time period and outputting a selection signal based on thedetermination; and selecting information from one of first plurality ofquarter-phase objects based on the selection signal, and outputting theselected information and an indication of the center frequency of thecorresponding one of the first plurality of digitally bandpass-filteredsignals.

In some embodiments of method 4000, each one of the first plurality ofdigitally bandpass-filtered signals is a wavelet-bandpass-filteredsignal; and the determining of the first plurality of fractional-phaseamplitude values and the plurality of fractional-phase-determined timepoints per full waveform cycle of the corresponding one of the firstplurality of digitally bandpass filtered signals further includesperforming a first plurality of quarter-phase measurements, each ofwhich determines at least two amplitude values and at least fourphase-determined time points per full waveform cycle of a correspondingone of the first plurality of digital bandpass filters. The using of thefirst plurality of fractional-phase amplitude values for detecting andtracking the first tracked frequency component further includes:determining which one of the first plurality of quarter-phasemeasurements had an amplitude value no lower than did any other one ofthe first plurality of quarter-phase measurements during a time periodand outputting a selection signal based on the determination; andselecting information from one of first plurality of quarter-phasemeasurements based on the selection signal, and outputting the selectedinformation and an indication of the center frequency of thecorresponding one of the first plurality of digital bandpass filters.

In some embodiments of method 4000, each one of the first plurality ofdigitally bandpass-filtered signals is a wavelet-transformed filteredsignal; and the using of the first plurality of digitallybandpass-filtered signals for detecting and tracking the first frequencycomponent further includes: performing a first plurality ofquarter-phase measurements, each of which determines at least twoamplitude values and at least four phase-determined time points per fullwaveform cycle of a corresponding one of the first plurality ofdigitally bandpass-filtered signals; determining which one of the secondplurality of quarter-phase measurements an amplitude value no lower thandid any other one of the second plurality of quarter-phase measurementunits during a time period and outputting a selection signal based onthe determination; and selecting information from one of first pluralityof quarter-phase measurements based on the selection signal, andoutputting the selected information and an indication of the centerfrequency of the corresponding one of the first plurality of digitallybandpass-filtered signals.

In some embodiments of method 4000, each one of the first plurality ofdigitally bandpass-filtered signals is a wavelet-transformedfrequency-filtered signal; the determining of the first plurality offractional-phase amplitude values and the plurality offractional-phase-determined time points per full waveform cycle of thecorresponding one of the first plurality of digitally bandpass filteredsignals further includes performing a first plurality of quarter-phasemeasurements, each of which determines at least two amplitude values andat least four phase-determined time points per full waveform cycle of acorresponding one of the first plurality of digital bandpass filters;and the using of the first plurality of fractional-phase amplitudevalues for detecting and tracking the first frequency component furtherincludes: determining which one of the first plurality of quarter-phasemeasurements had an amplitude value no lower than did any other one ofthe first plurality of quarter-phase measurements during a time periodand outputting a selection signal based on the determination; andselecting information (i.e., selection based on QP output) from one offirst plurality of quarter-phase measurements based on the selectionsignal, and outputting the selected information and an indication of thecenter frequency of the corresponding one of the first plurality ofdigitally bandpass-filtered signals. The method further includes:digitally filtering the initial series of digitized signal values in acomputer to generate a third plurality of digitally bandpass-filteredsignals, wherein each one of the third plurality of digitallybandpass-filtered signals has a center frequency that is unique amongthe third plurality of digitally bandpass-filtered signals and afrequency range that overlaps the frequency range of a closestneighboring one of the third plurality of digitally bandpass-filteredsignals, wherein each one of the third plurality of digitallybandpass-filtered signals is a wavelet-transformed frequency-filteredsignal; and performing a third plurality of quarter-phase measurements,each of which determines at least two amplitude values and at least fourphase-determined time points per full waveform cycle of a correspondingone of the third plurality of digitally bandpass-filtered signals.

Some embodiments of method 4000 further include digitally filtering theinitial series of digitized signal values to generate a second pluralityof digitally bandpass-filtered signals, wherein each one of the secondplurality of digitally bandpass-filtered signals has a respective centerfrequency that corresponds to the respective center frequency of one ofthe first plurality of digitally bandpass-filtered signals and afrequency range that is narrower than the frequency range of therespective frequency range of the one of the first plurality ofdigitally bandpass-filtered signals, and wherein each one of the secondplurality of digitally bandpass-filtered signals is awavelet-transformed filtered signal; and performing a second pluralityof quarter-phase measurements on the second plurality of digitallybandpass-filtered signals, wherein each of the second plurality ofquarter-phase measurements determines at least two amplitude values andat least four phase-determined time points per full waveform cycle of acorresponding one of the second plurality of digitally bandpass-filteredsignals. In some such embodiments, each one of the first plurality ofdigitally bandpass-filtered signals is a wavelet-transformed filteredsignal; and the using of the first plurality of digitallybandpass-filtered signals for detecting and tracking the first frequencycomponent further includes: performing a first plurality ofquarter-phase measurements, each of which determines at least twoamplitude values and at least four phase-determined time points per fullwaveform cycle of a corresponding one of the first plurality ofdigitally bandpass-filtered signals; determining which one of the secondplurality of quarter-phase measurements an amplitude value no lower thandid any other one of the second plurality of quarter-phase measurementunits during a time period and outputting a selection signal based onthe determination; and selecting information from one of first pluralityof quarter-phase measurements based on the selection signal, andoutputting the selected information and an indication of the centerfrequency of the corresponding one of the first plurality of digitallybandpass-filtered signals. In some such embodiments, the method furtherincludes: digitally filtering the initial series of digitized signalvalues to generate a third plurality of digitally bandpass-filteredsignals, wherein each one of the third plurality of digitallybandpass-filtered signals has a center frequency that is unique amongthe third plurality of digitally bandpass-filtered signals, and whereineach one of the third plurality of digitally bandpass-filtered signalsis a wavelet-transformed filtered signal; and performing a thirdplurality of quarter-phase measurements on the third plurality ofdigitally bandpass-filtered signals, wherein each of the third pluralityof quarter-phase measurements determines and outputs at least twoamplitude values and at least four phase-determined time points per fullwaveform cycle of a corresponding one of the third plurality ofdigitally bandpass-filtered signals.

Some embodiments of method 4000 further include digitally filtering theinitial series of digitized signal values to generate a second pluralityof digitally bandpass-filtered signals, wherein each one of the secondplurality of digitally bandpass-filtered signals has a respective centerfrequency that corresponds to the respective center frequency of one ofthe first plurality of digitally bandpass-filtered signals and afrequency range that is narrower than the frequency range of therespective frequency range of the one of the first plurality ofdigitally bandpass-filtered signals, and wherein each one of the secondplurality of digitally bandpass-filtered signals is awavelet-transformed filtered signal; performing a second plurality ofquarter-phase measurements on the second plurality of digitallybandpass-filtered signals, wherein each of the second plurality ofquarter-phase measurements determines and outputs a series of QPobjects, wherein each one of the series of QP objects has at least twoamplitude values and at least four phase-determined time points per fullwaveform cycle of a corresponding one of the second plurality ofdigitally bandpass-filtered signals, wherein each one of the firstplurality of digitally bandpass-filtered signals is awavelet-transformed filtered signal. In some such embodiments, the usingof the first plurality of digitally bandpass-filtered signals fordetecting and tracking the first frequency component further includes:performing a first plurality of quarter-phase measurements, each ofwhich determines at least two amplitude values and at least fourphase-determined time points per full waveform cycle of a correspondingone of the first plurality of digitally bandpass-filtered signals;determining which one of the second plurality of quarter-phasemeasurements had an amplitude value no lower than did any other one ofthe second plurality of quarter-phase measurement units during a timeperiod and outputting a selection signal based on the determination; andselecting information (selection based on QP output) from one of firstplurality of quarter-phase measurements based on the selection signal,and outputting the selected information and an indication of the centerfrequency of the corresponding one of the first plurality of digitallybandpass-filtered signals.

In some embodiments of method 4000, the using of the first plurality ofdigitally bandpass-filtered signals for detecting and tracking the firstfrequency component further includes: determining which one of the firstplurality of first plurality of digitally bandpass-filtered signals hadan amplitude value no lower than did any other one of the firstplurality of digitally bandpass-filtered signals during a time periodand outputting a selection signal based on the determination; andselecting information from one of first plurality of digitallybandpass-filtered output signals based on the selection signal, andoutputting the selected information and an indication of the centerfrequency of the selected one of the first plurality of digitallybandpass-filtered signals.

In some embodiments of method 4000, the using of the first plurality ofdigitally bandpass-filtered signals for detecting and tracking the firstfrequency component further includes: determining which one of the firstplurality of first plurality of digitally bandpass-filtered signals hadan amplitude value no lower than did any other one of the firstplurality of digitally bandpass-filtered signals during a time periodand outputting a selection signal based on the determination; selectinginformation from one of first plurality of digitally bandpass-filteredsignals based on the selection signal, and outputting the selectedinformation and an indication of the center frequency of the selectedone of the first plurality of digitally bandpass-filtered signals; andperforming a fractional-phase measurement that determines at least twoamplitude values and at least one phase-determined time point per fullwaveform cycle of the tracked frequency component.

In some embodiments of method 4000, the using of the first plurality ofdigitally bandpass-filtered signals for detecting and tracking the firstfrequency component further includes: determining which one of the firstplurality of first plurality of digitally bandpass-filtered signals hadan amplitude value no lower than did any other one of the firstplurality of digitally bandpass-filtered signals during a time periodand outputting a selection signal based on the determination; selectinginformation from one of first plurality of digitally bandpass-filteredsignals based on the selection signal, and outputs the selectedinformation and an indication of the center frequency of the selectedone of the first plurality of digitally bandpass-filtered signals; andperforming a quarter-phase measurement that determines and outputs atleast two amplitude values and at least four phase-determined timepoints per full waveform cycle of the tracked frequency component.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon,wherein the instructions, when executed by a suitably programmedcomputer, perform a method that includes digitally filtering an initialseries of digitized signal values in a computer to generate a firstplurality of digitally bandpass-filtered signals, wherein each one ofthe first plurality of digitally bandpass-filtered signals has arespective center frequency that is unique among respective centerfrequencies of the first plurality of digitally bandpass-filteredsignals and a respective frequency range that overlaps the respectivefrequency range of a closest neighboring one of the first plurality ofdigitally bandpass-filtered signals; determining a first plurality offractional-phase amplitude values and a plurality offractional-phase-determined time points per full waveform cycle of acorresponding one of the first plurality of digitally bandpass filteredsignals; using the first plurality of fractional-phase amplitude valuesfor detecting and tracking, in the computer, a first tracked frequencycomponent as that first tracked frequency component's main componentmoves from one to another frequency range of the first plurality ofdigitally bandpass-filtered signals; and storing information regardingthe tracked frequency component into a storage device. In some suchembodiments, the stored information includes instantaneous frequency andamplitude of the tracked frequency component at each of a first sequenceof time points. In some embodiments, the digitally filtering includeswavelet-transforming the initial series of digitized signal values togenerate a plurality of wavelet-transformed signals.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon,wherein the instructions, when executed by a suitably programmedcomputer, perform any of the methods described herein, including subsetsof any method and combinations of any portions of the methods.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides an apparatus thatincludes a computer having a storage device; means for digitallyfiltering an initial series of digitized signal values in a computer togenerate a first plurality of digitally bandpass-filtered signals,wherein each one of the first plurality of digitally bandpass-filteredsignals has a respective center frequency that is unique amongrespective center frequencies of the first plurality of digitallybandpass-filtered signals and a respective frequency range that overlapsthe respective frequency range of a closest neighboring one of the firstplurality of digitally bandpass-filtered signals; means for determininga first plurality of fractional-phase amplitude values and a pluralityof fractional-phase-determined time points per full waveform cycle of acorresponding one of the first plurality of digitally bandpass filteredsignals; means for using the first plurality of fractional-phaseamplitude values for detecting and tracking, in the computer, a firsttracked frequency component as that first tracked frequency component'smain component moves from one to another frequency range of the firstplurality of digitally bandpass-filtered signals; and means for storinginformation regarding the tracked frequency component into a storagedevice. In some such embodiments, the stored information includesinstantaneous frequency and amplitude of the tracked frequency componentat each of a first sequence of time points.

It is to be understood that the above description is intended to beillustrative, and not restrictive. Although numerous characteristics andadvantages of various embodiments as described herein have been setforth in the foregoing description, together with details of thestructure and function of various embodiments, many other embodimentsand changes to details will be apparent to those of skill in the artupon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention shouldbe, therefore, determined with reference to the appended claims, alongwith the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Inthe appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used asthe plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and“wherein,” respectively. Moreover, the terms “first,” “second,” and“third,” etc., are used merely as labels, and are not intended to imposenumerical requirements on their objects.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus comprising: a computer having astorage device; a source of an initial series of digitized signalvalues; a first filter bank that includes a first plurality of digitalbandpass filters each operably coupled to the source of digitized signalvalues and each configured to digitally filter the initial series ofdigitized signal values, wherein each one of the first plurality ofdigital bandpass filters has a respective center frequency that isunique among respective center frequencies of the first plurality ofdigital bandpass filters and a respective frequency range, and whereineach one of the first plurality of digital bandpass filters has anoutput signal; and a first frequency-component tracker that detects andtracks a first tracked frequency component as that first trackedfrequency component's frequency moves from one to another frequencyrange of the first plurality of digital bandpass filters, and thatstores information regarding the tracked frequency component into thestorage device, wherein the stored information includes instantaneousfrequency and amplitude of the tracked frequency component at each of afirst sequence of time points.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein eachone of the first plurality of digital bandpass filters includes a filterbased on a wavelet transform.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein thefirst frequency-component tracker further includes: a fractional-phaseoutput unit that determines a plurality of amplitude values and aplurality of four phase-determined time points per full waveform cycleof the first tracked frequency component, and that outputs a firstseries of respective data structures that each indicates the pluralityof amplitude values, the plurality of phase-determined time points perrespective full waveform cycle of the first tracked frequency component,and a per-time-point instantaneous frequency indication of the firsttracked frequency component.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising: a first plurality of fractional-phase measurement units,each of which determines and outputs a plurality of amplitude values anda plurality of phase-determined time points per full waveform cycle ofan output of the corresponding one of the first plurality of digitalbandpass filters; a fractional-phase maximum-amplitude determinationunit that determines which one of the first plurality offractional-phase measurement units has an amplitude value no lower thandid any other one of the first plurality of fractional-phase measurementunits during a time period and that outputs a selection signal based onthe determination; and a first selector that selects information from atleast one of the first plurality of fractional-phase measurement unitsbased on the selection signal, and outputs the selected information andan indication of the center frequency of the corresponding at least oneof the first plurality of digital bandpass filters, wherein the centerfrequency of the corresponding at least one of the first plurality ofdigital bandpass filters is determined by interpolation.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 4, wherein the fractional-phase maximum-amplitudedetermination unit further includes a data smoother that smoothesamplitude values from each of the first plurality of fractional-phasemeasurement units before the fractional-phase maximum-amplitudedetermination unit determines which one of the first plurality offractional-phase measurement units has the amplitude value no lower thandid any other one of the first plurality of fractional-phase measurementunits during a time period.
 6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein thefractional-phase maximum-amplitude determination unit further includes adata smoother that smoothes amplitude values from each of the firstplurality of digital bandpass filters before the fractional-phasemaximum-amplitude determination unit determines and outputs a pluralityof amplitude values and a plurality of phase-determined time points perfull waveform cycle of an output of the corresponding one of the firstplurality of digital bandpass filters.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the first plurality of digital bandpass filters includes a firstbandpass filter and a second, neighboring, bandpass filter, wherein thefirst bandpass filter has a maximum response at the respective centerfrequency of the first bandpass filter, wherein the second bandpassfilter has a maximum response at the respective center frequency of thesecond bandpass filter, and wherein the first bandpass filter and thesecond bandpass filter have a cross-over point that is about −0.1 dBfrom either maximum response.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising: a first plurality of fractional-phase measurement units,each of which determines and outputs a plurality of amplitude values anda plurality of phase-determined time points per full waveform cycle ofan output of the corresponding one of the first plurality of digitalbandpass filters; a second plurality of digital bandpass filters,wherein each one of the second plurality of digital bandpass filters hasa respective center frequency that corresponds to the respective centerfrequency of one of the first plurality of digital bandpass filters anda frequency range that is narrower than the frequency range of therespective frequency range of the one of the first plurality of digitalbandpass filters, wherein each one of the second plurality of digitalbandpass filters includes a filter based on a wavelet transform, andwherein each one of the second plurality of digital bandpass filters hasan output signal; and a second plurality of fractional-phase measurementunits operatively coupled to receive the output signals from the secondplurality of digital bandpass filters, wherein each of the secondplurality of fractional-phase measurement units determines a pluralityof amplitude values and a plurality of phase-determined time points perfull waveform cycle of a corresponding one of the second plurality ofdigital bandpass filters, wherein each one of the first plurality ofdigital bandpass filters includes a filter based on a wavelet transform;wherein the first plurality of digital bandpass filters includes a firstbandpass filter and a second, neighboring, bandpass filter, wherein thefirst bandpass filter has a maximum response at the respective centerfrequency of the first bandpass filter, wherein the second bandpassfilter has a maximum response at the respective center frequency of thesecond bandpass filter, and wherein the first bandpass filter and thesecond bandpass filter have a cross-over point that is about −0.1 dBfrom either maximum response, and wherein the first frequency-componenttracker further includes: a fractional-phase maximum-amplitudedetermination unit that determines which one of the second plurality offractional-phase measurement units had an amplitude value no lower thandid any other one of the second plurality of fractional-phasemeasurement units during a time period and that outputs a selectionsignal based on the determination; and a selector that selectsinformation from one of first plurality of fractional-phase measurementunits based on the selection signal, and outputs the selectedinformation and an indication of the center frequency of thecorresponding one of the first plurality of digital bandpass filters. 9.The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a first plurality offractional-phase measurement units, each of which determines and outputsa plurality of amplitude values and a plurality of phase-determined timepoints per full waveform cycle of an output of the corresponding one ofthe first plurality of digital bandpass filters; a second plurality ofdigital bandpass filters, wherein each one of the second plurality ofdigital bandpass filters has a respective center frequency thatcorresponds to the respective center frequency of one of the firstplurality of digital bandpass filters and a frequency range that isnarrower than the frequency range of the respective frequency range ofthe one of the first plurality of digital bandpass filters, wherein eachone of the second plurality of digital bandpass filters includes afilter based a wavelet transform, and wherein each one of the secondplurality of digital bandpass filters has an output signal; a secondplurality of fractional-phase measurement units operatively coupled toreceive the output signals from the second plurality of digital bandpassfilters, wherein each of the second plurality of fractional-phasemeasurement units determines a plurality of amplitude values and aplurality of phase-determined time points per full waveform cycle of acorresponding one of the second plurality of digital bandpass filters,wherein each one of the first plurality of digital bandpass filtersincludes a filter based on a wavelet transform; and wherein the firstfrequency-component tracker further includes: a fractional-phasemaximum-amplitude determination unit that determines which one of thesecond plurality of fractional-phase measurement units had an amplitudevalue no lower than did any other one of the second plurality offractional-phase measurement units during a time period and that outputsa selection signal based on the determination; a selector that selectsinformation from one of first plurality of fractional-phase measurementunits based on the selection signal, and outputs the selectedinformation and an indication of the center frequency of thecorresponding one of the first plurality of digital bandpass filters; athird plurality of digital bandpass filters, wherein each one of thethird plurality of digital bandpass filters has a center frequency thatis unique among the third plurality of digital bandpass filters, whereineach one of the third plurality of digital bandpass filters includes afilter based a wavelet transform, and wherein each one of the thirdplurality of digital bandpass filters has an output signal; and a thirdplurality of fractional-phase measurement units operatively coupled toreceive the output signals from the third plurality of digital bandpassfilters, wherein each of the third plurality of fractional-phasemeasurement units determines a plurality of amplitude values and aplurality of phase-determined time points per full waveform cycle of acorresponding one of the third plurality of digital bandpass filters.10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a first plurality offractional-phase measurement units, each of which determines and outputsa plurality of amplitude values and a plurality of phase-determined timepoints per full waveform cycle of an output of the corresponding one ofthe first plurality of digital bandpass filters; a second plurality ofdigital bandpass filters, wherein each one of the second plurality ofdigital bandpass filters has a respective center frequency thatcorresponds to the respective center frequency of one of the firstplurality of digital bandpass filters and a frequency range that isnarrower than the frequency range of the respective frequency range ofthe one of the first plurality of digital bandpass filters, wherein eachone of the second plurality of digital bandpass filters includes afilter based on a wavelet transform, and wherein each one of the secondplurality of digital bandpass filters has an output signal; a secondplurality of fractional-phase measurement units operatively coupled toreceive the output signals from the second plurality of digital bandpassfilters, wherein each of the second plurality of fractional-phasemeasurement units determines and outputs a series of QP objects, whereineach one of the series of QP objects has a plurality of amplitude valuesand a plurality of phase-determined time points per full waveform cycleof a corresponding one of the second plurality of digital bandpassfilters; and wherein each one of the first plurality of digital bandpassfilters includes a filter based on a wavelet transform; and wherein thefirst frequency-component tracker further includes: a fractional-phasemaximum-amplitude determination unit that determines which one of thesecond plurality of fractional-phase measurement units had an amplitudevalue no lower than did any other one of the second plurality offractional-phase measurement units during a time period and that outputsa selection signal based on the determination; a selector that selectsinformation from one of first plurality of fractional-phase measurementunits based on the selection signal, and outputs the selectedinformation and an indication of the center frequency of thecorresponding one of the first plurality of digital bandpass filters.11. A computer-implemented method comprising: sensing a quasi-periodicsignal and generating an initial series of digitized signal values basedon the sensed signal; digitally filtering the initial series ofdigitized signal values in a computer to generate a first plurality ofdigitally bandpass-filtered signals, wherein each one of the firstplurality of digitally bandpass-filtered signals has a respective centerfrequency that is unique among respective center frequencies of thefirst plurality of digitally bandpass-filtered signals and a respectivefrequency range that overlaps the respective frequency range of aclosest neighboring one of the first plurality of digitallybandpass-filtered signals; detecting and tracking, in the computer, afirst tracked frequency component as that first tracked frequencycomponent's main component moves from one to another frequency range ofthe first plurality of digitally bandpass-filtered signals; storinginformation regarding the tracked frequency component into a storagedevice; and automatically generating an interpretation of thequasi-periodic waveform using the information processor and based on theinformation regarding the tracked frequency component, and generatingrelevant information from the interpretation.
 12. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 11, wherein the digitally filteringincludes filtering the initial series of digitized signal values togenerate a plurality of wavelet-transformed signals, based on a wavelettransform.
 13. The computer-implemented method of claim 11, wherein thedetecting and tracking of the first frequency component furtherincludes: determining a plurality of amplitude values and a plurality ofphase-determined time points per full waveform cycle of the firsttracked frequency component, and outputting a first series of respectivefractional-phase data structures that each indicates the plurality ofamplitude values, the plurality of phase-determined time points perrespective full waveform cycle of the first tracked frequency component,and a per-cycle center frequency of the first tracked frequencycomponent for the respective full waveform cycle of the first trackedfrequency component.
 14. The computer-implemented method of claim 11,further comprising: performing a first plurality of fractional-phasemeasurements, each of which determines a plurality of amplitude valuesand a plurality of phase-determined time points per full waveform cycleof a corresponding one of the first plurality of digital bandpassfilters; wherein each one of the first plurality of digitallybandpass-filtered signals is a wavelet-bandpass-filtered signal; andwherein the detecting and tracking of the first tracked frequencycomponent further includes: determining which one of the first pluralityof fractional-phase measurements had an amplitude value no lower thandid any other one of the first plurality of fractional-phasemeasurements during a time period and outputting a selection signalbased on the determination; and selecting information from one of firstplurality of fractional-phase measurements based on the selectionsignal, and outputting the selected information and an indication of thecenter frequency of the corresponding one of the first plurality ofdigital bandpass filters.
 15. The computer-implemented method of claim11, wherein each one of the first plurality of digitallybandpass-filtered signals is a wavelet-transformed filtered signal; andwherein the detecting and tracking of the first frequency componentfurther includes: performing a first plurality of fractional-phasemeasurements, each of which determines a plurality of amplitude valuesand a plurality of phase-determined time points per full waveform cycleof a corresponding one of the first plurality of digitallybandpass-filtered signals; determining which one of the first pluralityof fractional-phase measurements has an amplitude value no lower thandid any other one of the first plurality of fractional-phasemeasurements during a time period and outputting a selection signalbased on the determination; and selecting information from one of thefirst plurality of fractional-phase measurements based on the selectionsignal, and outputting the selected information and an indication of thecenter frequency of the corresponding one of the first plurality ofdigitally bandpass-filtered signals.
 16. The computer-implemented methodof claim 11, wherein the first plurality of digitally bandpass-filteredsignals includes a first bandpass-filtered signal and a second,neighboring, bandpass-filtered signal, wherein the firstbandpass-filtered signal has a maximum response at the respective centerfrequency of the first bandpass-filtered signal, wherein the secondbandpass-filtered signal has a maximum response at the respective centerfrequency of the second bandpass-filtered signal, and wherein the firstbandpass-filtered signal and the second bandpass-filtered signal have across-over point that is about −0.1 dB from either maximum response. 17.The computer-implemented method of claim 11, further comprising:performing a first plurality of fractional-phase measurements, each ofwhich determines a plurality of amplitude values and a plurality ofphase-determined time points per full waveform cycle of a correspondingone of the first plurality of digital bandpass filters, wherein each oneof the first plurality of digitally bandpass-filtered signals is awavelet-transformed frequency-filtered signal, wherein the detecting andtracking of the first frequency component further includes: determiningwhich one of the first plurality of fractional-phase measurements had anamplitude value no lower than did any other one of the first pluralityof fractional-phase measurements during a time period and outputting aselection signal based on the determination; and selecting informationfrom one of first plurality of fractional-phase measurements based onthe selection signal, and outputting the selected information and anindication of the center frequency of the corresponding one of the firstplurality of digitally bandpass-filtered signals; digitally filteringthe initial series of digitized signal values in a computer to generatea second plurality of digitally bandpass-filtered signals, wherein eachone of the second plurality of digitally bandpass-filtered signals has acenter frequency that is unique among the second plurality of digitallybandpass-filtered signals and a frequency range that overlaps thefrequency range of a closest neighboring one of the second plurality ofdigitally bandpass-filtered signals, wherein each one of the secondplurality of digitally bandpass-filtered signals is awavelet-transformed frequency-filtered signal; and performing a secondplurality of fractional-phase measurements, each of which determines aplurality of amplitude values and a plurality of phase-determined timepoints per full waveform cycle of a corresponding one of the secondplurality of digitally bandpass-filtered signals.
 18. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 11, wherein the initial series ofdigitized signal values represent certain types of internet messages,wherein the method further includes: tracking and recording a particularfrequency component of the certain types of internet messages; andanalyzing the recorded particular frequency component to help predict ahuman activity.
 19. A non-transitory computer-readable storage mediumhaving instructions stored thereon, wherein the instructions, whenexecuted by a suitably programmed computer, perform a method comprising:digitally filtering an initial series of digitized signal values in acomputer to generate a first plurality of digitally bandpass-filteredsignals, wherein each one of the first plurality of digitallybandpass-filtered signals has a respective center frequency that isunique among respective center frequencies of the first plurality ofdigitally bandpass-filtered signals and a respective frequency rangethat overlaps the respective frequency range of a closest neighboringone of the first plurality of digitally bandpass-filtered signals;detecting and tracking, in the computer, a first tracked frequencycomponent as that first tracked frequency component's main componentmoves from one to another frequency range of the first plurality ofdigitally bandpass-filtered signals; and storing information regardingthe tracked frequency component into a storage device.
 20. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 19, wherein theinitial series of digitized signal values represent a seismic signal,and wherein the instructions, when executed by the computer, cause themethod to further include: tracking and recording a particular frequencycomponent of the seismic signal; and analyzing the recorded particularfrequency component to help predict earthquakes.